Difference between Longitudinal waves and Transverse wave

Difference between Longitudinal and Transverse wave

Longitudinal waves

1.) The wave in which the direction of vibration of particle is parallel to the direction of propagation of waves is known as longitudinal wave.

2.) Longitudinal waves requires material medium for its propagation.

3.) Sound wave is the most suitable example of longitudinal wave to explain.

4.) Velocity of longitudinal wave travelling in medium of density ‘d’ is given as,

Where ‘P’ is the pressure of medium and ‘d’ is density of air.

5.) During formation of longitudinal wave, the medium is divided into alternate compression and rarefaction.

6.) Longitudinal waves can travels through all three state i.e. solids, liquids and gases.

7.) Longitudinal waves cannot polarize.

Transverse waves

1.) The wave in which the direction of vibration of particle is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of waves is known as longitudinal wave.

2.) Transverse waves can travel through material medium as well as vacuum.

3.) Light wave is most suitable example of transverse wave.

4.) Velocity of transverse wave produced on a string stretched between rigid supports is given as,

Where ‘T’ is the tension acting on the string and ‘m’ is liner density of material of string.

5.) During formation of Transverse wave, the medium is divided into alternate crest and trough.

6.) Transverse waves can travels through solids only.

7.) Transverse waves can be polarized.

Updated: September 18, 2021 — 11:47 pm

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