A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from place to place. Energy in defined as the ability to do work. The material through which a wave travels is called a medium. Liquids, solids, and gases all are mediums. Waves that require a medium are called mechanical waves. There are two types of mechanical waves: transverse waves and longitudinal waves. Waves that move through a medium at right angles to the direction in which the waves travel are called transverse waves. These waves move up and down or side to side. The high point on the wave is called a crest and the low point is called a trough. Longitudinal waves are waves that move through a medium parallel to the direction in which the waves travel. If you imagine a spring toy, think about pushing and pull it on one side while holding the other. The parts on the wave where the coils are close together are called compressions. The parts where the coils are spread out are called rarefactions. Water waves use both transverse and longitudinal waves. A single particle in the wave moves clockwise. Rayleigh waves are waves that travel on the surface of solids. Rayleigh surface waves also use both transverse and longitudinal waves. However, in a Rayleigh surface wave, a single particle moves counter-clockwise. I am glad that scientists study such important things, to make us understand how waves work. In my opinion, I think these waves are the reason we see, hear, and do many of the things around us. Transverse and longitudinal waves help us understand many scientific phenomena in physics and biology.
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