Another way to categorize waves is on the basis of the direction of movement of the particles of the medium relative to the direction that the waves travel (motion of energy):
Longitudinal waves
⌾ The movement of the particles is parallel to the motion of energy.
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Transverse waves
⌾ The movement of the particles is at right angles, or perpendicular, to the motion of energy.
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Surface waves
⌾ When a wave strikes an interface between two materials with differing physical properties, the wave motion "bends" into a circular pattern or orbit.
⌾ Unlike longitudinal and transverse waves, wherein all the particles in the the medium respectively travel in parallel and perpendicular directions relative to the direction of energy transport - in a surface wave, it is only the particles at the surface of the medium that undergo the orbital motion.
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Examples of Mechanical Waves
○ sound waves
○ seismic waves
○ water waves
Examples of Electromagnetic Waves
○ see Electromagnetic Waves section
Examples of Longitudinal Waves
○ sound waves
○ tsunamis
○ seismic-P waves
Examples of Transverse Waves
○ a vibrating string
○ water ripples
○ human stadium waves
○ seismic-S waves
○ electromagnetic waves