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What is a Longitudinal Wave?
When a longitudinal wave moves through a material,
the particles of the material move
backwards and forwards
along the direction in which the
wave is travelling.
Below is a picture of a longitudinal
wave travelling along a spring.
What is the Wavelength of a Longitudinal Wave?
The wavelength
of a longitudinal wave can be measured
as the distance between the
centre of two compressions.
What is Compression?
Compression is the name given to the
region
where the coils of the spring are pushed
together.
What is Rarefaction?
Rarefaction (pronounced rair - ree -
fac - shun)
is the name given to the region
where the coils of the spring are pulled
apart.
It is difficult to
show the amplitude
and frequency
of a longitudinal wave on a picture.
Examples of longitudinal waves are
P waves
from earthquakes and sound waves.
Links
Waves
Revision Questions
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