Describe the properties of a wave. Include how longitudinal and transverse waves are alike and how they are different. Provide an example for each.

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Physics

Marcel Nixon

3 December, 21:01

Describe the properties of a wave. Include how longitudinal and transverse waves are alike and how they are different. Provide an example for each.

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Kaya Landry · Answer 1

Longitudinal Waves

In a longitudinal wave, the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave. This means that the particles move left and right which in turn makes the other particles start to oscillate. Sound waves are longitudinal waves.

Another example of a longitudinal wave is a P wave or primary wave during an earthquake. P waves are also known as compressional waves, because of the pushing and pulling they do.