Question

the image below shows a longitudinal wave traveling through a metal spring. what terms should be used to label point x and point y in the image? a. wavelength at point x and amplitude at point y b. rarefaction at point x and compression at point y c. amplitude at point x and wavelength at point y d. compression at point x and rarefaction at point y

Explanation:

• In a longitudinal wave, compression is the region where particles are close together (high - density region) and rarefaction is the region where particles are spread apart (low - density region).
• Looking at the wave representation (even though it's a simplified diagram for a longitudinal wave shown in a transverse - like form for visualization), point \(X\) (where the coils are more spread out) is a rarefaction and point \(Y\) (where the coils are more bunched up) is a compression.

Answer:

B. rarefaction at point \(X\) and compression at point \(Y\)