Kiana T.

asked • 01/30/18

What is the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?

Witch is faster and will witch direction do they oscillate in?

1 Expert Answer

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Shailendra P. answered • 01/30/18

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In a longitudinal wave, the particles oscillate in the direction of wave progression and in a transverse wave, they oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave progression. Speed of the wave is independent of its nature but the fastest waves known today (electromagnetic waves) are transverse waves.
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Arturo O.

I just want to add that the speed of a wave depends on the medium that it is propagating through.  As Shailendra pointed out, the fastest wave is an electromagnetic wave, in a vacuum.  Its speed is the speed of light, the "speed limit" of the physical universe.  But in another medium, such as glass or water, its speed is lower.
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01/30/18

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