3 - 10 Properties of waves
● ***Waves are a series of vibrations transferring energy and information without
transferring matter
Transverse waves
● Oscillation perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
● E.g.: sea waves, electromagnetic waves*** (doesn’t require media), S-wave
(earthquake)
1
, Longitudinal waves
● Oscillation parallel to direction of energy transfer
● E.g.: sound waves, P-wave (earthquake)
***Difference between longitudinal and transverse waves:
- Particles of medium travelling to oscillation ——— transverse: perpendicular,
longitudinal: parallel
- Transverse: crests/peaks, troughs; longitudinal: compressions, rarefactions
2
● ***Waves are a series of vibrations transferring energy and information without
transferring matter
Transverse waves
● Oscillation perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
● E.g.: sea waves, electromagnetic waves*** (doesn’t require media), S-wave
(earthquake)
1
, Longitudinal waves
● Oscillation parallel to direction of energy transfer
● E.g.: sound waves, P-wave (earthquake)
***Difference between longitudinal and transverse waves:
- Particles of medium travelling to oscillation ——— transverse: perpendicular,
longitudinal: parallel
- Transverse: crests/peaks, troughs; longitudinal: compressions, rarefactions
2
