pitkittäisaalto

Pitkittäisaalto is a Finnish term referring to a longitudinal wave. In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer. This means that compressions and rarefactions propagate through the medium. Sound waves are a common example of longitudinal waves. As a sound source vibrates, it creates regions of higher pressure (compressions) and lower pressure (rarefactions) in the surrounding air. These pressure variations travel outward as the wave. Another example can be seen in seismic waves, specifically P-waves (primary waves), which are longitudinal and travel through the Earth's interior. In contrast, transverse waves, like light waves, have particle vibrations perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. The speed of a longitudinal wave depends on the properties of the medium, such as its elasticity and density. For instance, sound travels faster through solids than through liquids, and faster through liquids than through gases. The concept of pitkittäisaalto is fundamental in understanding various physical phenomena, particularly in acoustics and seismology.