What is the difference between longitudinal, transverse and mechanical wave ?
What is the difference between longitudinal, transverse and mechanical wave ?
Transverse Waves: Displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.
To understand this it is good to think of a rope being held still by person B and being moved up and down by person A. The direction of propagation is from person A to B, so you will see the waves move along this way. But the displacement will be up and down.
Can travel in solids, but not in liquids and gas.
eg. Electromagnetic radiation
Longitudinal Waves: Displacement of the medium is parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave.
A good example for this is a slinky being pushed along the table, the propagation will be along the table and so will the displacement of all the 'rings'.
Can travel through all states of matter.
eg. Sound waves
A mechanical wave is a wave that is an oscillation of matter, and therefore transfers energy through a medium.[1] While waves can move over long distances, the movement of the medium of transmission—the material—is limited. Therefore, the oscillating material does not move far from its initial equilibrium position. Mechanical waves transport energy. This energy propagates in the same direction as the wave. Any kind of wave (mechanical or electromagnetic) has a certain energy. Mechanical waves can be produced only in media which possess elasticity and inertia.
There are 3 types of mechanical waves
1) Surface Waves
2)Longitudinal waves
3)Transverse Waves
Transverse Waves: Displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.
To understand this it is good to think of a rope being held still by person B and being moved up and down by person A. The direction of propagation is from person A to B, so you will see the waves move along this way. But the displacement will be up and down.
Can travel in solids, but not in liquids and gas.
eg. Electromagnetic radiation
Longitudinal Waves: Displacement of the medium is parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave.
A good example for this is a slinky being pushed along the table, the propagation will be along the table and so will the displacement of all the 'rings'.
Can travel through all states of matter.
eg. Sound waves
A mechanical wave is a wave that is an oscillation of matter, and therefore transfers energy through a medium.[1] While waves can move over long distances, the movement of the medium of transmission—the material—is limited. Therefore, the oscillating material does not move far from its initial equilibrium position. Mechanical waves transport energy. This energy propagates in the same direction as the wave. Any kind of wave (mechanical or electromagnetic) has a certain energy. Mechanical waves can be produced only in media which possess elasticity and inertia.
There are 3 types of mechanical waves
1) Surface Waves
2)Longitudinal waves
3)Transverse Waves
