What is the difference between a transverse and longitudinal wave?

A transverse wave is a wave where the direction of vibration is perpendicular (90 degrees) to the direction of travel (an example would be a wave in the sea), and a longitudinal wave is a wave where the vibration and the direction of travel are in the same direction (an example would be a sound wave or a seismic P-wave).

JC
Answered by Jared C. Physics tutor

3389 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Insulating a home costs £2000 and saves £50 a year. What is the payback time?


How does the red shift support the Big Bang theory?


Draw a distance-time, speed-time, and acceleration-time graph for an object moving at a constant velocity of 5m/s for 10 seconds.


What was the Rutherford gold foil experiment


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