Longitudinal waves have vibrations that move _______.

Question

Longitudinal waves have vibrations that move _______.?  
A. at right angles to the wave direction  
B. in a circular motion  
C. in the same or opposite direction as the wave  
D. in waves and troughs

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (C)in the same or opposite direction as the wave. 
Rationale: Longitudinal waves have vibrations that move in the same or opposite direction as the wave.In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium oscillate back and forth along a line that is parallel to the direction in which the wave travels. This type of motion produces regions of compression and rarefaction rather than crests and troughs. Sound waves traveling through air are a common example of longitudinal waves.A) at right angles to the wave directionMotion at right angles to the direction of wave travel is characteristic of transverse waves, such as waves on a string or light waves. This does not describe longitudinal wave motion.B) in a circular motionCircular particle motion occurs in surface water waves, which combine both transverse and longitudinal components. Pure longitudinal waves do not involve circular motion.C) in the same or opposite direction as the waveThe particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation, moving back and forth in line with the wave’s travel. This parallel oscillation is the defining feature of longitudinal waves.D) in waves and troughsCrests and troughs are features of transverse waves. Longitudinal waves instead consist of compressions and rarefactions, not peaks and valleys.ConclusionThe defining characteristic of longitudinal waves is particle motion that is parallel to the direction of wave travel.

Longitudinal waves have vibrations that move _______.

A
at right angles to the wave direction

B
in a circular motion

C
in the same or opposite direction as the wave

D
in waves and troughs

Longitudinal waves have vibrations that move in the same or opposite direction as the wave.

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Related Questions

Longitudinal waves have vibrations that move _______.

A at right angles to the wave direction B in a circular motion C in the same or opposite direction as the wave D in waves and troughs

Longitudinal waves have vibrations that move in the same or opposite direction as the wave.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
at right angles to the wave direction

B
in a circular motion

C
in the same or opposite direction as the wave

D
in waves and troughs