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Physics, Techniques and Procedures

Longitudinal wave

a waveform transmitted through a medium where the particles of the medium oscillate in the direction of the wave propagation. Sound propagates as longitudinal waves. A longitudinal wave is produced when a vibrator, e.g. a piezoelectric crystal in an ultrasound transducer, transmits its back and forth oscillation into a continuous, elastic medium (Fig. 1). The particles of the medium are made to oscillate in the direction of the wave propagation, but are otherwise stationary. The wave propagates as bands of compression and rarefaction. One wavelength is the distance between two bands of compression, or rarefaction. Maximum compression corresponds to maximum pressure (Fig. 1, bottom).

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Fig.1

The propagation of the first three bands of compression (1-3) are shown. The longitudinal wave at the bottom is also shown as a sinusoidal curve.
Longitudinal wave, Fig.1