A Slinky will be used to demonstrate a transverse wave. direction of motion of the particles (up and down) will be contrasted to the direction of the wave energy. That they are are right angles to each other is stressed.A definition of a transverse wave will be derived from the demonstrated slinky. A transverse wave is one in which the motion of the medium is at right angles to the direction of the wave.
A longitudinal wave will be demonstrated with the slink. The direction of the movement of the particles of the medium (slinky) are parallel to the direction of the wave movement.. A longitudinal wave is a series of compressions and expansions. Sound waves are an example of longitudinal waves. The transmission of sound from a tuning fork will be diagrammed and the compresses and the expansions of the air molecules drawn to represent the wave.