Define the terms compressions and rarefactions of a wave.
A longitudnal wave passes through a medium, and causes pressure variations in different parts of the medium. Compressions are the regions of increased pressure and the regions of decreased pressure are called rarefactions.
What are longitudinal waves? Give two examples.
Longitudnal waves are the waves in which the particles of the medium vibrate along the direction of wave motion.
Sound waves in air, the waves produced along the length of a compressed spring are all examples of longitudnal waves.
Define wavelength.
Wavelength is the distance between successive crests of a wave, in a time the particle of the medium completes one vibration.
Define the terms crests and troughs of wave.
The point or the maximum displacement in the positive y-direction, to which the particle of the medium rises to are called crests.
The particles of the medium has maximum displacement in the negative y-direction. These valleys are called troughs.
Switch
