Longitudinal Waves

• In longitudinal waves, matter particles move back and forth
• Wave energy moves in the same direction as the medium
• Longitudinal waves require a medium
• Longitudinal waves cannot travel through space (vacuum)
• The particles compress and spread as energy passes through
• Longitudinal waves are also called compression waves
• Examples of longitudinal waves

  • Sound
  • Springs
  • Tuning forks
• Label the longitudinal wave

  A) wavelength

  B) compression

  C) rarefraction