Question

(i) Distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves.
(ii) Are sound waves longitudinal or transverse?

Answer 1

(i) The waves in which particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave are known as longitudinal waves. Sound is an example of the longitudinal wave.

Whereas the waves in which particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave are known as the transverse waves. Light waves are an example of the transverse waves.

(ii) When a sound wave travels in a medium, the disturbance created in the particles of the medium is parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave. Hence, sound waves are longitudinal waves.