For the following waves, label each as either a transverse or longitudinal wave. a. sound waves in air b. vibrating guitar string C. waves on the surface of a lake d. the wave in a stretched spring after a section of the spring is compressed then released. the wave pulse in a rope that is created by moving one end of the rope up and down. e. f. earthquake wave
The correct answer and explanation is:
Wave Types and Explanations
Wave Labels
a. Sound waves in air: Longitudinal
b. Vibrating guitar string: Transverse
c. Waves on the surface of a lake: Transverse
d. Wave in a stretched spring after compression: Longitudinal
e. Wave pulse in a rope created by moving the rope up and down: Transverse
f. Earthquake waves: Both transverse and longitudinal
Explanations
a. Sound waves in air
Sound waves are longitudinal waves because they involve the compression and rarefaction of air particles in the direction of wave propagation. When sound travels, air particles oscillate parallel to the wave’s direction, creating regions of high and low pressure.
b. Vibrating guitar string
A vibrating guitar string creates transverse waves because the displacement of the string is perpendicular to the direction the wave energy travels. The vibrations produce sound, which propagates as a longitudinal wave in air.
c. Waves on the surface of a lake
Waves on a lake’s surface are transverse waves because the water’s motion is up and down (perpendicular to the wave’s direction). However, these are often combined with circular motions of water particles, making them technically “surface waves,” which have characteristics of both transverse and longitudinal waves.
d. Wave in a stretched spring after compression
This wave is longitudinal because the spring’s coils compress and decompress in the direction of wave propagation. Such waves are similar to sound waves, with alternating regions of compression and rarefaction.
e. Wave pulse in a rope
A wave pulse created by moving a rope up and down is a transverse wave because the rope’s motion is perpendicular to the direction the wave energy travels. These are visible waves commonly demonstrated in physics experiments.
f. Earthquake waves
Earthquakes generate both transverse (S-waves) and longitudinal (P-waves) waves. P-waves (primary waves) are compressional, traveling through solids, liquids, and gases, while S-waves (secondary waves) are transverse, traveling only through solids. These wave types help seismologists study Earth’s interior.
Each wave type showcases unique characteristics based on the medium and oscillation direction, reflecting the diversity of wave phenomena in nature.