Which statement best explains the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?
The main difference between longitudinal and transverse waves lies in the direction of the wave propagation and the oscillation of particles within the wave.
A longitudinal wave is characterized by oscillations where the particles in the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave motion. In other words, the particles move back and forth in the same direction as the wave is traveling. A common example of a longitudinal wave is a sound wave, where molecules in the air compress and rarefy as the wave passes through.
On the other hand, in a transverse wave, the oscillations of particles occur perpendicular (or at right angles) to the direction of wave propagation. In this case, the particles move up and down or side to side in a wave-like pattern. Examples of transverse waves include light waves, water waves, and electromagnetic waves.
Therefore, the key distinction is that a longitudinal wave exhibits parallel oscillations to the wave direction, while a transverse wave showcases perpendicular oscillations to the wave direction.