Compare and contrast mechanical transverse waves and longitudinal waves

Comparison: Longitudinal waves are mechanical waves that require a medium for propagation, transverse waves are non-mechanical waves that do not require a medium for propagation. Longitudinal waves consist of compressions and rarefactions, while transverse waves consist of crests and troughs. 

Longitudinal waves :. In longitudinal waves, the particles transfer energy from one point to another by vibrating in the line of direction of propagation of the wave. In longitudinal waves, the movement of particles is usually parallel to the movement of energy.

Here, the particles are also displaced parallel to the direction of the travelling wave. An example of longitudinal waves is compressions moving along a slinky. We can make a longitudinal wave by pushing and pulling the slinky horizontally.

Longitudinal waves travel in the form of compression and rarefaction. The best example of longitudinal waves are sound waves.

Mechanical transverse waves: waves, the particles transfer energy from one point to another point by vibrating perpendicularly in the direction of the propagation of the wave. What it means is that in transverse waves movement of particles are at right angles to the movement of energy.

In a transverse wave, the particles are displaced perpendicular to the direction that the wave travels. Examples of transverse waves include vibrations on a string and ripples on the surface of the water. We can make a horizontal transverse wave by moving the slinky vertically up and down. Radio wave, water waves are a few examples of transverse waves.

Waves produced in a string is a good example of a transverse wave. Transverse waves have what are called peaks and troughs. The peak is the crest or top point of the wave and the trough is the valley or bottom point of the wave. Waves produced in a string are standing waves.