Question

(a) What are longitudinal waves and transverse waves? Explain with the help of labelled diagrams.
(b) Give two examples each of longitudinal waves and transverse waves.

Answer 1

(a) Longitudinal waves: These are the waves in which medium particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of propagation of the wave. This type of wave can be formed in solid, liquid, and gas.
Example: Sound waves.

Transverse waves: These are the waves in which medium particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation of wave. This type of wave can be formed only in solid and liquid.
Example: Ripples in water.

(b)Examples of longitudinal waves are:
(i) The waves that travel along a spring when it is pushed and pulled at one end.
(ii) Sound waves in air.
Examples of transverse waves are:
(i) The waves produced by moving one end of a long spring up and down rapidly while the other end is fixed.
(ii) The water waves (or ripples) formed on the surface of water in a pond by throwing a stone in it.