Question

Distinguish between the two main types of mechanical waves

Answer 1

Explanation:

Mechanical waves are waves that requires a medium for their propagation. There are two types of mechanical waves:

• Transverse waves
• Longitudinal waves

Transverse waves are waves that propagates perpendicularly to their source. Examples are electromagnetic waves, ripple on water etc.

Longitudinal waves are waves that propagates parallel to their source. They move in a series of rarefactions and compressions along their path. An example is seismic p-waves