Question

The disturbance that occurs as longitudional waves travel through a medium can be described as a series of?

A. oscillations and refractions
B. Destructions and Constructions
C. Propagrations and Compressions
D. Rarefactions and Compressions

Answer 1

The disturbance that occurs as longitudinal waves travel through a medium
can be described as a series of rarefactions and compressions. (D)

Answer 2

There are three types of waves which are named as -

1-Longitudinal wave

2-Transverse wave

3-Matter wave.

Here we will consider only transverse and longitudinal waves.

A transverse wave is that type of wave in which the direction of propagation of wave is perpendicular to the direction of vibration of particles.It moves in the form of crests and troughs. The waves like water wave, the waves in a stretched string fixed at two ends with rigid walls.

A longitudinal wave is a mechanical wave in which the oscillation of particle is parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave. In a longitudinal wave,some part of the medium has high pressure where the particles of the medium are compressed which is followed by low pressure regions where particles are largely separated as compared to high pressure zone.

The high pressure zone is called Compressions and low pressure zone is called Rarefactions. The compressions and rarefactions are repeated gradually through out the medium for which the wave is propagated from one point to another point in that specific medium. One may take an example of sound wave.

Hence the option D is the correct answer.