Waves M. Faries

Waves

A wave is a disruption that transfers energy through matter or an empty area. The two main types of waves are transverse waves and longitudinal waves. A longitudinal wave is a wave where the particles of the medium vibrate side by side to the direction of the motion of a wave. A medium is substances in which a wave can travel. Transverse waves are particles that vibrate in an up and down movement.

The difference between longitudinal and transverse waves are that transverse waves vibrate up and down and longitudinal waves vibrate side by side. The highest point of a transverse wave is called a crest and the lowest point is called a trough. When the particles of a longitudinal wave are crowded it is called a compression. When the particles are spread apart it is called a rarefaction. Compressions and rarefactions are like the crests and troughs of longitudinal waves.