Compressional Waves

Compressional waves, also known as longitudinal waves, are waves where particles in the medium move back and forth along the direction the wave travels. As the wave moves, it creates areas of compression, where particles are pushed together, and rarefaction, where they are spread apart. Sound waves are a common example—they travel through air by compressing and decompressing air particles, allowing us to hear. These waves require a medium, such as air, water, or solid material, to propagate. Their energy moves through the medium in a series of compressions and expansions, transferring the wave's energy forward.