Classifying Waves

Longitudinal Waves

• Material vibrates perpendicular to direction of wave motion

• Can be observed as an ìup and downî motion on a vibrating rope

Transverse Waves

• Material vibrates parallel to direction of wave motion

• Can be observed as a compression and rarefaction along the axis of a medium

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Demo: Demonstrate two waves types on the floor with a slinky wave demonstrator.

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