How are longitudinal and transverse waves alike? How are they different?

Longitudinal and transverse waves have many similarities and differences.

Explanation:

Similarities:

Mechanical waves can be transverse and longitudinal waves.

Transverse and longitudinal waves both have wavelengths and frequencies.

They both have amplitudes

Both waves can travel through a medium or not, but it depends on whether is an electromagnetic or a mechanical wave.

Differences:

Electromagnetic waves can only be transverse.

The particles of the medium in a longitudinal wave move parallel to the direction (motion) of a wave. It is in this back and forth motion.

The particles of the medium in a transverse wave move perpendicular to the direction (motion) of a wave. This means that there would be right angles showing that they are perpendicular.

Longitudinal waves have rarefactions and compressions.

These rarefactions and compressions are used to measure the wavelength of a wave. For instance, a wavelength in a longitudinal wave is measured from rarefaction to rarefaction

Transverse waves have troughs and crests.

Amplitude in a transverse wave is measured from the midline to the crest of trough.

Amplitude in a longitudinal wave is measured based on how closely packed the particles of the medium are

I hope this helps