Question

How is a longitudinal wave formed in air?​

Answer 1

║⊕ANSWER⊕║

WHAT ARE LONGITUDINAL WAVES?

• Longitudinal waves are always characterized by particle motion being parallel to wave motion.
• A sound wave traveling through air is a classic example of a longitudinal wave.

HOW DO THEY MOVE IN AIR?

• For a sound wave traveling through air, the vibrations of the particles are best described as longitudinal.
• Sound waves in air (and any fluid medium) are longitudinal waves because particles of the medium through which the sound is transported vibrate parallel to the direction that the sound wave moves

Answer 2

Explanation:

Since air molecules (the particles of the medium) are moving in a direction that is parallel to the direction that the wave moves, the sound wave is referred to as a longitudinal wave. The result of such longitudinal vibrations is the creation of compressions and rarefactions within the air.