What is Mechanical wave motion?

There are two types of mechanical wave motion 

These are (i) transverse wave motion and (ii) longitudinal wave motion

i) Transverse wave motion

Transverse wave motion  is that wave motion in which particles of the medium execute SHM about their mean positions in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave. Such waves are called transverse waves. Examples of transverse waves are waves produced by plucked strings of veena, sitar or violin and electromagnetic waves. Transverse waves travel in the form of crests and troughs. The maximum displacement of the particle in the positive direction i.e. above its mean position is called crest and maximum displacement of the particle in the negative direction i.e below its mean position is called trough.

(ii) Longitudinal wave motion

‘Longitudinal wave motion is that wave motion in which each particle of the medium executes simple harmonic motion about its mean position along the direction of propagation of the wave.’ Sound waves in fluids (liquids and gases) are examples of longitudinal wave. When a longitudinal
wave travels through a medium, it produces compressions and rarefactions. Longitudinal waves can be produced in all types of material medium, solids, liquids and gases. The density and pressure of the medium in the region of compression are more than that in the region of rarefaction.

Wave motion is a form of disturbance which travels through a medium due to the repeated periodic motion of the particles of the medium about their mean position. The motion is transferred continuously from one particle to its neighbouring particle.