What is the difference between transverse and longitudal waves?

Dear aakash,

Transverse Waves :

In transverse waves the particle of the medium oscillate perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels. Travelling waves on a tight rope are transverse waves. If one end of the rope is rigidly fixed and the other end is given periodic up and down jerks, the disturbance propagates along the length of the rope but the particles of the rope oscillate up and down. Disturbance travels along the rope in form of crests (upward peaks) and troughs (downward peaks).

Longitudinal Waves :

In longitudinal waves, the oscillation of the particles is parallel to the direction in which the wave travels. Disturbance travelling in a ring parallel to its length a pressure variation propagating in a liquid, sound waves travelling in a medium are examples of longitudinal waves.

Longitudinal waves do not require shearing stress and hence can travel in any elastic medium: solid liquid and gases.

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