What is the meaning of the term "longitudinal wave" in the context of sound waves?
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Solution
Longitudinal waves:
Longitudinal waves occur when the medium is moved in either the same or opposite direction as the wave's propagation direction. The wavelength is the distance between the centers of two compression or rarefaction zones that follow each other.
A sound wave is produced by the vibrational motion of particles flowing through a conducting medium and is an example of a longitudinal wave.
The sound wave is called a longitudinal wave because of the compressions and rarefactions in the air. Air particles vibrate in a direction that is parallel to the propagation direction.