Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the vibration is parallel with the direction of the wave.
 |
| A single longitudinal wave passing through a material. |
About Longitudinal Waves
- Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of travel of the wave.
| |
| A single longitudinal wave passing through a material. |
About Longitudinal Waves
There are two longitudinal waves you should know:
- Sound - Waves of compression and rarefaction which travel through matter.
- P-waves - Seismic Waves known as primary waves which are waves of compression through the ground during an earthquake.
References
AQA
- Longitudinal wave, pages 190, 194-5, 210, 212-13, 256-7, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Longitudinal waves, page 182, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- Longitudinal waves, page 219, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Longitudinal waves, page 73, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Longitudinal waves, pages 175, 180-185, GCSE Physics; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Longitudinal waves, pages 187, 188, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA
- Longitudinal waves, pages 224, 225, 279, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA
- Longitudinal waves, pages 256, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 2, Hodder, AQA