Lesson: Comparing Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Physics • 9th Grade

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.