Lesson: Comparing Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Physics • Second Year of Secondary School

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In this lesson, we will learn how to identify the differences and similarities between transverse and longitudinal waves in terms of amplitude, wavelength, and period.

Lesson Plan

Students will be able to

classify waves as transverse or longitudinal in terms of the relation between wave propagation direction and direction of motion of particles in the wave,
identify the periodicity of compression and rarefaction in a longitudinal wave as a graph of density versus time or distance, represented by a transverse waveform,
represent the periodicity of compression and rarefaction in a longitudinal wave as a graph of density versus time or distance as a transverse waveform,
explain what is meant by the medium of a wave,
recognize wave motion that consists of both transverse and longitudinal components,
identify features of wave motion common to transverse and longitudinal waves.