Longitudinal Wave Physics Example 1

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Example 1

easy
A longitudinal wave in a spring has compressions 0.4 m0.4 \text{ m} apart. The wave frequency is 5 Hz5 \text{ Hz}. What is the wave speed?

Solution

  1. 1
    The distance between consecutive compressions is the wavelength: λ=0.4 m\lambda = 0.4 \text{ m}.
  2. 2
    Wave speed: v=fλ=5×0.4=2 m/sv = f\lambda = 5 \times 0.4 = 2 \text{ m/s}
  3. 3
    In a longitudinal wave, particles vibrate parallel to the wave's direction of travel.

Answer

v=2 m/sv = 2 \text{ m/s}
In a longitudinal wave, particles oscillate back and forth along the same direction the wave travels. Compressions (high density) and rarefactions (low density) propagate through the medium.

About Longitudinal Wave

A wave in which the particles of the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation, creating alternating regions of compression (high pressure) and.

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More Longitudinal Wave Examples

Example 2 medium

Sound travels at [formula] in air and [formula] in steel. A [formula] sound wave enters a steel rail

Example 3 medium

An ultrasound device emits sound at [formula] in human tissue ([formula]). What is the wavelength? W

Example 4 hard

An earthquake produces both P-waves ([formula], longitudinal) and S-waves ([formula], transverse). A

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