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Wave Propagation: Vibrational Motion
Wave Propagation: Vibrational Motion
In longitudinal waves, the oscillations occur in the longitudinal direction or the direction
of wave propagation. Since compressional and dilational forces are active in these waves,
they are also called pressure or compressional waves. They are also sometimes called
density waves because their particle density fluctuates as they move. Compression waves
can be generated in liquids, as well as solids because the energy travels through the
atomic structure by a series of comparison and expansion (rarefaction) movements.
In the transverse or shear wave, the particles oscillate at a right angle or transverse to the
direction of propagation. Shear waves require an acoustically solid material for effective
propagation and, therefore, are not effectively propagated in materials such as liquids or
gasses. Shear waves are relatively weak when compared to longitudinal waves In fact,
shear waves are usually generated in materials using some of the energy from
longitudinal waves.