What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

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What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

Final Answer:

An example of a longitudinal wave is sound waves, where air particles move in the same direction as the wave. Using a Slinky can help visualize this movement through compressions and rarefactions. Longitudinal waves are important in understanding how sound travels through different materials.

Explanation:

An example of a longitudinal wave is sound waves. In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium (like air) move back and forth in the same direction that the wave travels.

To visualize this, you can use a Slinky toy:

  1. Stretch the Slinky out in a straight line.
  2. Hold one end of the Slinky and push it toward the other end, creating a compression.
  3. Then pull it back to create a rarefaction.

As you do this, you will see areas where the coils are close together (compression) and others where they are spread apart (rarefaction).
The movement you create in the Slinky mimics how sound travels through air. When a sound is made, it compresses air particles in one area and then those particles push the next layer of air particles, continuing the wave movement through the air.

Thus, longitudinal waves are characterized by these compressions and rarefactions, which can be observed in sound waves as they travel through different media, such as air, water, or solids.

Examples & Evidence:

Compressing and expanding a Slinky demonstrates longitudinal waves. By pushing and pulling, you create compressions (where coils are close together) and rarefactions (where coils are spread further apart).

Scientific principles confirm that sound waves are a primary example of longitudinal waves, as particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

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