Explain the different types of wave.

There are two different types of wave: longitudinal and transverse. When you hear the word "wave" you are probably thinking of a transverse wave.

Imagine you are floating in the sea. The waves of water are coming towards you and you bob up and down over the waves as they pass you. This type of wave is a transverse wave, the movement of any point in the wave (you in this case) is at right angles to the direction the wave is moving (towards the beach). When you are at the top of the wave you are at a peak and when you are at the bottom of the wave you are at a trough. Another example of this type of wave is a light wave (although the waves are a lot smaller).

A longitudinal wave is a one where the movement of any point in the wave is in the same direction the wave is moving. These are harder to visualise. If you push and pull a slinky in a straight line you will see areas where the slinky is more bunched up and more spread apart. These are called compressions and rarefactions. An example of this type of wave is a sound wave.

HC
Answered by Harry C. Physics tutor

3791 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

a) Give an example of an alpha radiation source used in homes b) Why is it safe to use a source of alpha radiation in the house


If an object of mass 6kg was dropped from a height 35m (initially at rest), how long would it take to reach the ground under free fall?


Calculate the acceleration of particle thats velocity changes from 20ms^-1 to 40ms^-1 in 5 seconds, assuming its constant.


A note was played on a a keyboard. The frequency of the note was 440 Hz. (a) What does a frequency of 440 Hz mean? (b) The sound waves produced by the keyboard travel at a speed of 340 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of the note.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning