Longitudinal Waves

Front

Longitudinal Wave Noun

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[lon-ji-tood-n-ul wayv]

Back

Longitudinal Wave

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A mechanical wave in which the vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction the wave travels.

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Example: This diagram shows a longitudinal wave, where particles bunch up (compression) and spread out (rarefaction) in the same direction the wave travels (propagation).

Front

Mechanical Wave Noun

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[muh-kan-i-kuhl wayv]

Back

Mechanical Wave

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A wave that requires a medium, such as a solid, liquid, or gas, in order to transfer energy.

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Example: A speaker creates a sound wave, a type of mechanical wave, by pushing air molecules together (compression) and spreading them apart (rarefaction).

Front

Medium Noun

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[mee-dee-uhm]

Back

Medium

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The matter or substance, composed of particles, through which a mechanical wave travels by transferring energy.

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Example: This diagram shows that a medium is the substance (the box) that energy (the arrow) travels through in a mechanical wave.

Front

Compression Noun

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[kuhm-presh-uhn]

Back

Compression

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An area in a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are crowded closely together.

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Example: This diagram shows a longitudinal wave moving through a Slinky. A compression is the part of the wave where the coils are bunched together.

Front

Rarefaction Noun

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[rair-uh-fak-shuhn]

Back

Rarefaction

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An area in a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are spread far apart from each other.

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Example: In a longitudinal wave, rarefaction is an area where the particles of the medium are spread farthest apart, representing a region of low pressure.

Front

Amplitude Noun

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[am-pli-tood]

Back

Amplitude

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A measure of a wave's energy, related to the density of particles in compressions and rarefactions.

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Example: This diagram shows that amplitude is the height of a wave from its center line; for a sound wave, a larger amplitude means a louder sound.

Front

Wavelength Noun

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[wayv-lengkth]

Back

Wavelength

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The distance between two consecutive corresponding points of a wave, such as from one compression to the next.

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Example: This diagram shows wavelength (λ) as the distance between identical points on a wave, such as from one crest to the next.

Front

Sound Wave Noun

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[sound wayv]

Back

Sound Wave

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A longitudinal mechanical wave that propagates as vibrations through a medium, creating detectable differences in pressure.

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Example: This diagram shows a sound wave, a type of longitudinal wave. It travels by creating areas where particles are close together (compression) and far apart (rarefaction).

Front

P wave Noun

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[pee wayv]

Back

P wave

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A type of longitudinal seismic wave, also known as a Primary wave, that is generated by an earthquake.

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Example: This diagram shows a P wave, a type of longitudinal wave, where particles compress and spread out in the same direction the wave is traveling.

Front

Transverse Wave Noun

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[trans-vurs wayv]

Back

Transverse Wave

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A wave in which the vibration of the medium is perpendicular to the direction the wave travels.

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Example: This diagram shows a transverse wave, where particles move up and down (perpendicular) while the wave energy moves forward, illustrating key parts like peaks and troughs.