Compare compressions/rarefactions in a longitudinal travelling wave with crests/troughs in a transverse travelling wave
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Crests/troughs
in a transverse travelling wave
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Compressions/rarefactions
in a longitudinal travelling wave
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(1) Separation
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The separation between two adjacent crests or troughs
is the wavelength.
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The separation between two adjacent compressions or
rarefactions is the wavelength.
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(2) Displacement
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Particles at these points displace from their equilibrium
positions the most.
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Particles at the centres of these regions do not displace from their equilibrium positions. |
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(3) Speed |
Speed of particles at these points is zero. |
Speed of particles at the centres of these regions
is the greatest.
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The displacements at a certain instant along a longitudinal travelling wave:
