Longitudinal Waves Flashcards

Flashcards on Longitudinal Waves

Longitudinal Wave

A wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of motion of the wave.

Compressions

Regions of high pressure in a longitudinal wave.

Rarefactions

Regions of low pressure in a longitudinal wave.

Wavelength

The distance between two successive points in phase.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position.

Transverse waves

Waves in which displacement of particle is perpendicular to that of propagation of wave.

Longitudinal waves

Waves in which the displacement of the particle is in a direction parallel to that of propagation.

Frequency

The number of wave pulses per second

Period

The time taken for one complete wave pulse.

The wave equation v = fλ

v = speed (m.s-1) f = frequency (Hz) λ = wavelength (m)