Longitudinal Waves
Definition
Longitudinal waves are waves in which the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth in the same direction as the wave is traveling.
Analogy
Imagine a slinky toy stretched out horizontally. When you push one end of the slinky, it creates a compression that travels through the coils, similar to how particles in a longitudinal wave move back and forth.
Related terms
Compression: Areas where particles are pushed close together in a longitudinal wave.
Rarefaction: Areas where particles are spread apart in a longitudinal wave.
Sound Waves: A type of longitudinal wave that requires a medium to travel through, such as air or water.
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