Question

A wave is created by a vibrating source. As the wave moves through a medium, the molecules of the medium displace parallel to the motion of the wave before returning to their rest position. What kind of wave could this be?

Answer 1

The described wave in which medium molecules displace parallel to the wave's motion is known as a longitudinal wave, commonly seen as sound waves.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a wave is created by a vibrating source and the molecules of the medium displace parallel to the motion of the wave, the type of wave you are describing is called a longitudinal wave.

Unlike transverse waves, where particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of wave motion, in a longitudinal wave, particles move parallel to the wave's direction of travel. This kind of movement can be seen in sound waves, where the air molecules vibrate back and forth along the direction the sound wave is moving.