Question

A standing wave set up in air in a pipe is often illustrated by a diagram that depicts the waves to be transverse. How can this be possible as sound is a longitudinal wave?

Answer 1

The wave is not transverse, what is actually represented is amplitude of pressure wave against position in the tube.

Answer 2

Oh so all that is showing the displacement against amplitude of the pressure, hence why it looks like a transverse wave?

Answer 3

Because when you plot a function, you plot y at right angles with x — always!

Answer 4

Thanks