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Waves

What type of Waves travel through Water?

Both longitudinal and transverse waves can travel through water.

How do Longitudinal Waves travel through Water?

Longitudinal waves travel through water underneath the surface.
This is under water sound and it can be used by
fishing boats for echo location and by sea creatures
(for example whales including dolphins) to communicate.


How do Transverse Waves travel through Water?

Transverse waves travel on the water surface and these are the
waves which we see as they make the surface go up and down.
Transverse water waves are shown as a series of parallel lines.
See the picture below. These parallel lines represent the
peaks of the wave, as you are looking down on them from above.

The Wavelength of Water Waves

Transverse water waves can be used to show
the effects of  reflection, refraction and diffraction.

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