longitudinal waves

Longitudinal waves are a type of wave where the particles of the medium move back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels. This movement creates areas of compression, where particles are close together, and rarefaction, where they are spread apart. A common example is sound waves: as sound travels through air, air molecules vibrate in the direction of the sound, transmitting the energy through the medium. Unlike transverse waves, where particles move up and down, longitudinal waves maintain their movement along the direction of propagation, making them essential for understanding sound and other phenomena.