Standing, Transverse, and Longitudinal Waves

[PreMedMachine]

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What is the difference between these 3 waves and what are some types and facts to know about them that are prevalent about the MCAT? I tend to struggle on waves questions and different MCAT books have told different (and contradicting) properties about waves. Thanks!

 

[rgerber85]

There's a good book by Andrew Duffy PhD that breaks this topic down well. It's an Ipad app too... search Andrew Duffy. It's 14.99 and worth it... There's one for Phys I and one for II

 

[DrknoSDN]

I would almost say a youtube video might explain it better but for short answers:

Standing waves are waves where nodes and antinodes occur at fixed positions. The wave does not move and if it were a rope, you could grab a node because it would not be 'wiggling'.


Longitudinal waves are compression waves like sound where compression occurs in the direction of motion.
Transverse waves have their amplitude perpendicular to the direction of motion.



... If specific examples from a text are not clear you could post the problem and I'm sure people would explain how the answer was attained.
-GL