Final answer:
Wavelength in transverse waves is the distance from peak to peak or trough to trough, whereas in longitudinal waves, it's the distance between consecutive compressions or rarefactions. Examples include light waves for transverse and sound waves for longitudinal. Other wave properties like amplitude and frequency apply to both types but differ in their physical interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wavelength is a fundamental characteristic of both transverse and longitudinal waves, but it is defined differently for the two types. For transverse waves, such as the waves on the strings of musical instruments or electromagnetic waves including visible light, the wavelength is the distance between successive points that are in phase, typically measured as the distance from peak to peak or trough to trough. In contrast, for longitudinal waves like sound waves in air, the wavelength is the distance between consecutive compressions or rarefactions.
An example of a transverse wave is a light wave, where the disturbance (light oscillations) occurs perpendicular to the direction of propagation. For a longitudinal wave, the sound wave serves as an example, where the disturbance (variations in air pressure) moves in the same direction as the wave propagation.
The properties of waves like amplitude, period, frequency, and wave speed can be defined for both types of waves. However, the physical interpretation of these properties differs based on whether the wave is transverse or longitudinal.