“Struggling with Waves? Here’s the Easiest Breakdown You’ll Read”
Wavelength refers to the distance between consecutive peaks (or troughs) of a wave. It is commonly denoted by the Greek letter λ (lambda) and is measured in meters (m) or other units of length.
Frequency refers to the number of cycles of a wave that pass a given point per second. It is measured in hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second.
Time Period (T) refers to the time taken for one complete cycle of a wave to pass a given point. It is measured in seconds (s).
In a transverse wave, particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
Examples:
Light waves (electromagnetic waves)
Water waves (ripples on a pond)
Waves on a string (vibrations in a rope)
S-waves (secondary seismic waves in earthquakes)
In a longitudinal wave, particles move parallel to the direction of wave propagation.
Examples:
Sound waves in air
Ultrasound waves
P-waves (primary seismic waves)
Compression waves in a spring
Posted Feb 28, 2026, 1:11 PM UTC