Longitudinal wave — Science definition
Defined in 3 courses:
- A wave where particles vibrate back and forth in the SAME direction the wave travels. (Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy)
- A wave in which particles vibrate parallel to the direction the wave travels, forming compressions and rarefactions, like sound. (Physics & Environmental Science)
- A wave in which particles vibrate back and forth in the same direction the wave travels, creating compressions and rarefactions. (Physics & Environmental Science)
Where it is taught
- Sound Waves — Waves, Sound & Light, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Wave Properties — Waves, Sound & Optics, Physics & Environmental Science, Grade 12
- Sound — Waves, Sound & Optics, Physics & Environmental Science, Grade 12
In use
Sound is a longitudinal wave, and that word describes how it moves.
Sound Waves
In a longitudinal wave, the particles vibrate parallel to the wave's travel, bunching into compressions and spreading into rarefactions; sound is the classic example, and you can model it by pushing and pulling one end of a stretched spring.
Wave Properties
Sound is a longitudinal wave, and that single fact explains most of its behavior.
Sound
Questions using longitudinal wave
Problem 1
Explain the difference between a transverse and a longitudinal wave, and give an example of each.
Answer and explanation
In a transverse wave the particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction the wave travels — for example a wave on a rope or a light wave. In a longitudinal wave the particles vibrate parallel to the wave's travel, forming compressions and rarefactions — for example a sound wave.
Taught alongside
- compression
- rarefaction
- pitch
- medium
- model
- evidence
- system boundary
- assumption
- wave
- transverse wave
- amplitude
- wavelength (λ)
- frequency (f)
- interference