As a domain expert in the field of physics, I can explain the differences between transverse and longitudinal waves. Transverse waves are characterized by the oscillation of particles in a medium that is perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel. In these waves, the crests and troughs are the highest and lowest points, respectively, and they move in a direction that is perpendicular to the wave's path. An example of a transverse wave is light, where the oscillation can be in the form of an electric field or magnetic field, both of which are perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Longitudinal waves, on the other hand, are characterized by the oscillation of particles in the same direction as the wave's travel. In these waves, compressions and rarefactions are the regions of high and low pressure, respectively, and they move along the same line as the wave's path. Sound waves in air are a common example of longitudinal waves, where particles of air are compressed and expanded as the wave passes through. To summarize, the key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves lies in the direction of particle motion relative to the direction of wave propagation. Transverse waves have particle motion perpendicular to the wave motion, while longitudinal waves have particle motion parallel to the wave motion. read more >>

Transverse waves are always characterized by particle motion being perpendicular to wave motion. A longitudinal wave is a wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction that the wave moves.read more >>