Physics made simple : Types of waves

Mechanical Waves :

Waves that need a medium for their propagation and production are called as Mechanical waves.

Electromagnetic waves:

These waves donot require a medium for their porpagation.

Examples of Electromagnetic waves include :

Radiowaves
Television waves
X-rays
Heat waves
Light waves


Types of Mechanical waves:

Mechanical waves are of two types :

1.Transverse waves
2.Compression or Longitudinal waves

Transverse waves :

The waves in which particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation of waves are known as transverse waves.

Crest :

Those parts of transverse waves where particles of a medium are above their normal position are called Crest

Trough:

The parts of wave where particles of medium are below their mean positions are called as troughs.

Wavelength:

The distance between two consecutive crsts or troughs is called as wavelength.

Frequency of waves:

The number of waves passing through a point in one second is called as frequency of the waves.

Hertz:

The unit of frequency is Hertz.

Compressional waves:

The type of waves in which direction of vibratory motion of particles of medium is parallel to the direction of propagation of waves is known as compressional or longitudinal waves.