Science glossary film: Longitudinal wave

Longitudinal wave

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A waveform in which the vibrations of the medium it's propagated through are in the same direction as the wave's travel.

A waveform in which the vibrations of the medium it is propagated through are in the same direction as the wave's travel. Sound waves are examples of longitudinal waves. As a sound travels through air, particles in the air move back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels. Longitudinal waves may also be referred to as compression waves.

Sound waves are examples of longitudinal waves. As a sound travels through air, particles in the air move back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels. Longitudinal waves may also be referred to as compression waves.

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