AQA · GCSE · Physics

    Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016

    Students should be able to describe the difference between longitudinal…

    Full specification wording

    Transverse and longitudinal waves: Students should be able to describe the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves.

    The difference between the two wave types is always stated with reference to the direction of energy transfer, never to the page or to the ground.

    Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 5 of 6
    • 2 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    The difference between the two wave types is always stated with reference to the direction of energy transfer, never to the page or to the ground. In a longitudinal wave the oscillations or vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer; in a transverse wave they are perpendicular to it. That single contrast explains the rest. Transverse waves are drawn with crests and troughs; longitudinal waves are drawn as compressions and rarefactions along the line of travel. Sound in air is longitudinal, while water ripples and every electromagnetic wave are transverse. Both types transfer energy from place to place without transferring any matter with it. Where two marks are offered, give both the parallel and the perpendicular statements; a pair of examples alone will not reach full marks.

    What earns the marks

    • Longitudinal waves having oscillations parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
    • Transverse waves having oscillations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
    • A named example of each type.
    • The shared property that both transfer energy and not matter.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Answering about only one of the two wave types, so the comparison is incomplete.

    • Saying transverse waves move 'up and down' without stating what they are perpendicular to.

    • Claiming transverse waves are always faster than longitudinal waves.

    • Saying only longitudinal waves need a medium, when water ripples need water.

    Exam tips

    • Write the answer as two matched sentences so the contrast is obvious to the examiner.
    • Use 'direction of energy transfer', though 'direction of wave travel' is usually accepted too.
    • Add an example to each sentence; it costs one extra clause and often secures the mark.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Transverse and longitudinal waves: Students should be able to describe the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which statement describes how the particles of the medium move in a transverse wave?

    Listen

    The difference between the two wave types is always stated with reference to the direction of energy transfer, never to the page or to the ground. In a longitudinal wave the oscillations or vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer; in a transverse wave they are perpendicular to it. That single contrast explains the rest. Transverse waves are drawn with crests and troughs; longitudinal waves are drawn as compressions and rarefactions along the line of travel. Sound in air is longitudinal, while water ripples and every electromagnetic wave are transverse. Both types transfer energy from place to place without transferring any matter with it. Where two marks are offered, give both the parallel and the perpendicular statements; a pair of examples alone will not reach full marks. A strong answer earns marks for these points. longitudinal waves having oscillations parallel to the direction of energy transfer. transverse waves having oscillations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. a named example of each type. the shared property that both transfer energy and not matter. Exam tip: Write the answer as two matched sentences so the contrast is obvious to the examiner.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The top node is labelled Waves and branches into two nodes: Longitudinal and Transverse. From Longitudinal, one arrow leads to a node reading Oscillations parallel to the direction of energy transfer, and another leads to a node reading Example: sound in air. From Transverse, one arrow leads to a node reading Oscillations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, and another leads to a node reading Examples: water ripples and electromagnetic waves. A separate arrow from the Waves node leads to a node reading Both transfer energy from place to place without transferring matter.
    It classifies longitudinal and transverse waves by the direction of their oscillations relative to the direction of energy transfer, with an example of each and the property they share.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    longitudinal wave

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    transverse wave

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    longitudinal wave
    A wave in which the oscillations or vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
    transverse wave
    A wave in which the oscillations or vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The top node is labelled Waves and branches into two nodes: Longitudinal and Transverse. From Longitudinal, one arrow leads to a node reading Oscillations parallel to the direction of energy transfer, and another leads to a node reading Example: sound in air. From Transverse, one arrow leads to a node reading Oscillations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, and another leads to a node reading Examples: water ripples and electromagnetic waves. A separate arrow from the Waves node leads to a node reading Both transfer energy from place to place without transferring matter.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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