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Physics Classroom: Sound as a Longitudinal Wave
written by Tom Henderson
This interactive tutorial discusses sound waves as longitudinal, in which the disturbance moves in the same direction as the propagation of the wave. Longitudinal waves are characterized by compressions and rarefactions within the wave medium, as particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction of energy transport. The tutorial includes a link to a related simulation.

This resource is the second of three related tutorials for introductory physics on the nature of sound waves. It is part of The Physics Classroom website.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-L...
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Oscillations & Waves
- Wave Motion
= Longitudinal Pulses and Waves
- High School
- Middle School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Tutorial
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Learners
- text/html
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Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 2001 Tom Henderson
No derivatives; commercial use prohibited.
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created March 11, 2011 by Tom Henderson
Record Updated:
January 29, 2018 by Caroline Hall
Last Update
when Cataloged:
January 15, 2018
Other Collections:

Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Wave Properties (PS4.A)
  • A simple wave has a repeating pattern with a specific wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. (6-8)
  • A sound wave needs a medium through which it is transmitted. (6-8)

Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)

Structure and Function (K-12)
  • The functions and properties of natural and designed objects and systems can be inferred from their overall structure, the way their components are shaped and used, and the molecular substructures of its various materials. (9-12)
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
T. Henderson, (2001), WWW Document, (https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave).
AJP/PRST-PER
T. Henderson, Physics Classroom: Sound as a Longitudinal Wave (2001), <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave>.
APA Format
Henderson, T. (2018, January 15). Physics Classroom: Sound as a Longitudinal Wave. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave
Chicago Format
Henderson, Tom. Physics Classroom: Sound as a Longitudinal Wave. January 15, 2018. https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave (accessed 1 May 2025).
MLA Format
Henderson, Tom. Physics Classroom: Sound as a Longitudinal Wave. 2001. 15 Jan. 2018. 1 May 2025 <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Tom Henderson", Title = {Physics Classroom: Sound as a Longitudinal Wave}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {1 May 2025}, Month = {January 15, 2018}, Year = {2001} }
Refer Export Format

%A Tom Henderson %T Physics Classroom: Sound as a Longitudinal Wave %D January 15, 2018 %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Henderson, Tom %D January 15, 2018 %T Physics Classroom: Sound as a Longitudinal Wave %V 2025 %N 1 May 2025 %8 January 15, 2018 %9 text/html %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave


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Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

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