How can you classify mechanical waves?

Question

Accepted Answer

Mechanical waves can be classified based on their propagation medium, direction of particle oscillation, and nature of disturbance.

Based on propagation medium: mechanical waves can be classified as either transverse waves or longitudinal waves.
Transverse waves: particles in the medium oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation (e.g. electromagnetic waves).
Longitudinal waves: particles in the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation (e.g. sound waves).
Based on direction of particle oscillation: mechanical waves can be classified as either linearly polarized or unpolarized waves.
Linearly polarized waves: particles oscillate in a specific direction (e.g. polarized light).
Unpolarized waves: particles oscillate in random directions.
Based on nature of disturbance: mechanical waves can be classified as either progressive waves or standing waves.
Progressive waves: waves that propagate through a medium (e.g. ocean waves).
Standing waves: waves that appear to be stationary and result from interference of two waves with the same frequency and amplitude (e.g. vibrating strings).