Different Types of Waves and Their Examples

Introduction:

• A wave is a disturbance that carries energy through matter or space.
• Waves that transmit energy are of different types, some waves we can see some waves we cannot see. We can’t see electromagnetic waves and sound waves.
• Electromagnetic waves (light waves) are non-mechanical waves, they don’t require any medium to travel. They can even travel through a vacuum.
• Waves on the water’s surface, the waves that travel down a rope or a slinky, and sound waves are mechanical waves. Mechanical waves require a medium such as water, air, rope, or a slinky to travel. 

We can’t directly observe many waves like light waves and sound waves. The mechanical waves on a rope, waves on the surface of the water, and a slinky are visible to us. So, these mechanical waves can serve as a model to understand the wave phenomenon.

Explanation:

Types of Waves:

Fig:1 Types of waves

Transverse Waves:

In the figure, we see a single disturbance created on a rope. A single disturbance or a bump is called a wave pulse that travels through the medium.

Fig-2: Transverse Waves on a string

Here we notice that the rope is disturbed in the vertical direction but the pulse travels horizontally. A wave with this type of motion is called a transverse wave.

A transverse wave is one in which the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave’s motion.

Example: Waves generated on a string.

Fig-3: Transverse waves on a string

Longitudinal Waves:

In the figure, we see a single disturbance created on a slinky by squeezing together several turns and then suddenly released. A wave pulse of closely spaced turns will move away in both directions through the medium.

Fig-4: Longitudinal waves on a slinky-1

Here we notice that the slinky is disturbed in the same, or parallel to the direction of the waves’ motion. A wave with this type of motion is called a longitudinal wave.

A longitudinal wave is one in which the vibrations are parallel to the direction of the wave’s motion.

Example: Waves generated on a slinky.

Fig-:5 Longitudinal waves on a slinky-2

Surface Waves:

Waves that are deep in a lake or ocean are longitudinal; at the surface of the water, however, the particles move in a direction that is both parallel and perpendicular to the direction of wave motion, as shown in the figure.

Fig-6: Surface waves

This wave is a surface wave, which has characteristics of both transverse and longitudinal waves.

Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves:

In a transverse wave when it propagates through a medium crests and troughs, or hills and valleys are generated.

Fig-7: Difference between longitudinal and transverse waves

In a longitudinal wave when it propagates through a medium region of compressions rarefactions are generated.

    Summary

• A wave is a disturbance that carries energy through matter or space.
• Electromagnetic waves (light waves) are non-mechanical waves, they don’t require any medium to travel. They can even travel through a vacuum.
• Mechanical waves require a medium to travel. Waves on the water’s surface, the waves that travel down a rope or a slinky, and sound waves are mechanical waves.
• In longitudinal waves, the medium particles vibrate parallel to the direction of propagation of the waves. In longitudinal waves, compressions, and rarefactions are generated.
• In transverse waves, the medium particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the waves. In transverse waves, Crests (hills) and Troughs (valleys) are generated.