Transverse vs. Longitudinal Waves

AI Thread Summary
Transverse waves have particle displacement that is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, while longitudinal waves have particle displacement that is parallel to the direction of wave travel. Transverse waves can oscillate in various directions, not limited to left or right, as they can also move up and down. Examples of transverse waves include light waves and waves on a string, whereas sound waves exemplify longitudinal waves. Water waves exhibit characteristics of both transverse and longitudinal waves. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping wave behavior in different mediums.
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Homework Statement


Please explain the difference and try to give examples. I know that the displacement of the medium in a transverse wave is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel and in longitudinal is parallel to the direction of wave travel, but does this mean that transverse waves only travel from left to right?


Homework Equations


Conceptual question


The Attempt at a Solution



I've stated what I know above, and what I'm confused about. Please help.
 
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I was going to write out the definitions and some examples, but I'll be lazy and just link you to wikipedia, because they seem to handle this question quite well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transverse_wave" : consists of 'particles' moving perpendicular to the direction the energy is moving in ("transverse wave is moving in the positive x-direction, its oscillations are in up and down directions that lie in the y-z plane"). Examples: light waves or moving a string up and down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitudinal_wave" : the 'particles' are moving parallel to the direction of energy. Examples: sound

Water waves are both transverse and longitudinal.

This sight has some nice pictures too: http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html
 
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