In a transverse wave, particles of the medium oscillate up and down about their mean positions, perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, whereas in a longitudinal wave, particles oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation.
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A transverse wave oscillates perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, causing particles to move up and down or side to side. In contrast, a longitudinal wave oscillates parallel to the direction of wave propagation, causing particles to move back and forth along the same direction as the wave travels.