Transverse and longitudinal waves – how the particles move

PhysicsOscillations & WavesAges 16–17

A row of particles in a medium is set oscillating by a source at the left end; switch between a transverse wave (particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of travel) and a longitudinal wave (particles oscillate along the direction of travel, forming compressions and rarefactions). One particle is marked in red to show that it only oscillates about its equilibrium position; the wavelength λ = v/f, the period T and the particle's displacement graph update instantly as f, A and v change.