A wave is propagating from left to right in a medium. The particles in the medium are also vibrating from left to right. What kind of wave does this describe?
A. longitudinal wave
B. transverse wave
C. mechanical wave
D. electromagnetic wave

Question

A wave is propagating from left to right in a medium. The particles in the medium are also vibrating from left to right. What kind of wave does this describe?
A. longitudinal wave
B. transverse wave
C. mechanical wave
D. electromagnetic wave

anonymous · Answer

In a longitudinal wave, particles are displaced (vibrate) in the same direction and the wave propagates.  For example, air molecules vibrate forwards and backwards while the sound wave travels forward, as a whole. In a transverse wave, particles displace perpendicular to the direction that the wave propagates.