AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Waves may be either transverse or longitudinal.
Full specification wording
Transverse and longitudinal waves: Waves may be either transverse or longitudinal.
Waves are classified by how the oscillations relate to the direction of energy transfer.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 5
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Waves are classified by how the oscillations relate to the direction of energy transfer. In a transverse wave, the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer; examples include light, water surface waves and waves on a rope. In a longitudinal wave, the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer; examples include sound and ultrasound. Longitudinal waves show compressions, where particles are closer together, and rarefactions, where particles are further apart. You can identify the type from a diagram by checking whether the disturbance is at right angles to the wave direction or along it. This classification helps explain wave behaviour such as polarisation, which only transverse waves can show.
What earns the marks
- State that in a transverse wave the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
- State that in a longitudinal wave the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
- Give a correct example of a transverse wave, such as light, water surface waves or a wave on a rope.
- Give a correct example of a longitudinal wave, such as sound or ultrasound.
- Identify compressions and rarefactions in a longitudinal wave diagram or description.
- Use a diagram to classify a wave as transverse or longitudinal by comparing the oscillation direction with the direction of energy transfer.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying that in a transverse wave the wave moves up and down.
Put it right: Describe the oscillation as perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, not simply up and down.
Confusing compressions with rarefactions.
Put it right: Compressions are regions where particles are closer together; rarefactions are regions where particles are further apart.
Thinking sound is transverse because it can be drawn as a wave.
Put it right: Sound is longitudinal; the oscillations of particles are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
Exam tips
- Use the words perpendicular and parallel accurately when defining transverse and longitudinal waves.
- When labelling a longitudinal wave, mark a compression and a rarefaction clearly and state what each means.
- If a diagram is given, state the direction of energy transfer and the direction of oscillation before naming the wave type.
Try the lesson
The start of the Transverse and longitudinal waves: Waves may be either transverse or longitudinal. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which statement describes the vibrations in a transverse wave?
Listen
Waves are classified by how the oscillations relate to the direction of energy transfer. In a transverse wave, the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer; examples include light, water surface waves and waves on a rope. In a longitudinal wave, the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer; examples include sound and ultrasound. Longitudinal waves show compressions, where particles are closer together, and rarefactions, where particles are further apart. You can identify the type from a diagram by checking whether the disturbance is at right angles to the wave direction or along it. This classification helps explain wave behaviour such as polarisation, which only transverse waves can show. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that in a transverse wave the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. State that in a longitudinal wave the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Give a correct example of a transverse wave, such as light, water surface waves or a wave on a rope. Give a correct example of a longitudinal wave, such as sound or ultrasound. A common slip: Saying that in a transverse wave the wave moves up and down. Instead, describe the oscillation as perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, not simply up and down. Exam tip: Use the words perpendicular and parallel accurately when defining transverse and longitudinal waves.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Transverse wave examples
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Longitudinal wave examples
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Transverse wave examples
- Light, water surface waves and waves on a rope, in which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
- Longitudinal wave examples
- Sound and ultrasound, in which the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
Label the diagram
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