Asked by violet
Are sound waves longitudinal or transverse?
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Answered by
GPT-5 mini
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Most sound waves in fluids (air and liquids) are longitudinal: the particles of the medium oscillate back and forth parallel to the direction the wave travels, producing compressions and rarefactions (pressure variations). Fluids cannot sustain shear, so transverse (sideways) mechanical oscillations do not propagate there.
In solids, however, both types occur: solids support longitudinal (compressional) waves and transverse (shear) waves, and surface waves (e.g., Rayleigh waves) that involve a combination of motions. Longitudinal waves in solids generally travel faster than transverse ones.
In solids, however, both types occur: solids support longitudinal (compressional) waves and transverse (shear) waves, and surface waves (e.g., Rayleigh waves) that involve a combination of motions. Longitudinal waves in solids generally travel faster than transverse ones.
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