There are 2 types of waves, longitudinal and transverse waves.

Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel through, therefore they cannot travel in a vacuum, for example space. The direction of the travelling wave (particle motion) is parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Examples of longitudinal waves are sound waves, seismic primary waves (in earthquakes), and ultrasound. In the diagram, the sections where the particles are 'bunched up' are compressions and the other sections where the particles are spread out are called rarefractions.

Transverse waves do not all require a medium to travel, meaning some can travel through vacuums. The direction of particle motion is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. Examples of transverse waves are water waves, light waves, x-rays and all electromagnetic waves.

	Created by Fatima Hussain over 8 years ago

Slide Set on Waves , created by Fatima Hussain on 02/05/2018.