Question

1. Describe the main difference between longitudinal waves and transverse waves. Based on what you have learned in the lecture part of the course, which of these two types is an electromagnetic wave?

2. The figure below shows a series of snapshots of standing waves that are formed on a string, which is fixed at both ends (the figure shows successive deformation of the string in equal time intervals). Draw a graph that shows how the intensity of the vibrations of the string depends on the position along the string. Assume that the intensity of the vibrations at a specific location along the string is proportional to the square of the amplitude of vibration at that location.

3. Calculate the wavelength of electromagnetic waves that have a frequency of 10.5 GHz. What part of the electromagnetic spectrum is this?

Answer 1

The main difference between the longitudinal and transverse waves is displacement of the medium. The displacement of the medium for a longitudinal waves is parallel to direction of wave propagation and whereas transverse is perpendicular. Electromagnetic wave is an example for transverse wave