Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
Master Transverse and Longitudinal Waves for GCSE Physics with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Waves transfer energy without transferring matter; transverse waves oscillate at right angles to the direction of travel, longitudinal waves along it.
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These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.
Topic overview
Waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter. This is the defining feature of a wave, and it is examined constantly.
In a transverse wave the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. Ripples on water and all electromagnetic waves are transverse.
In a longitudinal wave the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Longitudinal waves show areas of compression and rarefaction. Sound waves travelling through air are longitudinal. In both cases it is the wave that travels, not the medium — a floating object bobs up and down as ripples pass but does not travel with them.
Revision notes
Waves transfer energy, not matter
Waves transfer energy and information from one place to another without transferring matter.
A floating object on water bobs up and down as ripples pass beneath it, but it does not travel along with them. The water itself stays in place.
Transverse waves
The oscillations are perpendicular, meaning at right angles, to the direction of energy transfer.
Ripples on the surface of water are transverse, and so are all electromagnetic waves including light.
Longitudinal waves
The oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
Longitudinal waves show areas of compression, where particles are close together, and rarefaction, where they are spread apart. Sound waves travelling through air are longitudinal.
Key points
- Waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
- Transverse oscillations are perpendicular to energy transfer.
- Longitudinal oscillations are parallel to energy transfer.
- Water ripples and light are transverse.
- Sound in air is longitudinal.
- Longitudinal waves show compression and rarefaction.
Worked examples
Example 1
State the difference between a transverse and a longitudinal wave. [2 marks]
Model answer
In a transverse wave the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer (1 mark). In a longitudinal wave the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer (1 mark).
Example 2
Explain how you know that water waves do not transfer matter. [2 marks]
Model answer
A floating object on the surface bobs up and down as the waves pass (1 mark), but it does not travel along with the wave, showing that the water itself is not moving forward (1 mark).
Example 3
Name the two regions found in a longitudinal wave. [2 marks]
Model answer
Compressions, where the particles are close together (1 mark), and rarefactions, where the particles are spread further apart (1 mark).
Common mistakes
Saying waves transfer matter.
They transfer energy and information only — the medium stays in place.
Getting transverse and longitudinal the wrong way round.
Transverse is perpendicular; longitudinal is parallel.
Saying sound is transverse.
Sound travelling through air is longitudinal.
Confusing compression with rarefaction.
Compression is particles close together; rarefaction is spread apart.
Exam tips
- Always state that waves transfer energy, not matter.
- Use perpendicular and parallel precisely.
- Learn one clear example of each wave type.
- Use the floating object to explain no matter transfer.
Key terms
- Transverse wave
- A wave with oscillations perpendicular to energy transfer.
- Longitudinal wave
- A wave with oscillations parallel to energy transfer.
- Compression
- A region where particles are close together.
- Rarefaction
- A region where particles are spread apart.
Related topics
Written and reviewed against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.