Mechanical waves are classified as longitudinal waves and transverse waves. Some instances of longitudinal waves space sound waves, seismic P-waves, and ultrasound waves. Transverse tide examples incorporate electromagnetic waves and also ocean waves. In this article, learn what is a longitudinal wave and its characteristics.
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What Is Longitudinal Wave?
Longitudinal waves space the waves wherein the displacement the the medium is in the same direction together the direction that the take trip of the wave.
The distance in between the centres of two consecutive areas of compression or the rarefaction is defined by wavelength, λ. Once the compression and also rarefaction regions of two waves coincide with each other, the is well-known as constructive interference and also if the regions of compression and rarefaction do not coincide, the is known as destructive interference.

Pressure Waves
The pressure wave is characterized as the propagation that disturbance in a tool as the pressure varies.

A harmonic push wave oscillation will certainly be,
y(x,t)=y0cos(kx-ωt+φ) |
Where,
y0 is the amplitude that displacementk is the wavenumberx is the distance along the axis of propagationω is the angular frequencyt is the timeφ is the phase differenceCharacteristics of Longitudinal Waves
CompressionIn a longitudinal wave, compression is a region in i beg your pardon the corpuscle of the wave space closest to each other.
RarefactionRarefaction in a longitudinal wave takes place when the particles space farthest apart from every other.
WavelengthThe distance in between two consecutive points in a longitudinal tide is known as wavelength. These consecutive points deserve to be in between two compressions or in between two rarefactions.
AmplitudeAmplitude is the preferably displacement that the fragment from its rest point. In a longitudinal wave, the street from the equilibrium position in the tool to compression or rarefaction is the amplitude.
Period and FrequencyThe time take away by the tide to move one wavelength is known as the period.The frequency of the longitudinal wave is the number of wavelengths per second.
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Difference in between Longitudinal and also Transverse Wave
Longitudinal Wave | Transverse Wave |
A wave that move in the direction that its propagation | A wave that moves in the direction perpendicular come its propagation |
A sound tide is an example of a longitudinal wave | Water waves are an instance of a transverse wave |
It is do of refractions and compressions | It is made of troughs and crests |
This wave can be developed in any medium such as gas, liquid or solid | This wave have the right to be produced in solid and liquid’s surface |
Read More:Difference between Longitudinal Waves and Transverse Waves
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Frequently Asked concerns – FAQs
The longitudinal wave formula is provided by the equation _____.
y(x,t)=yocos