A crest on a transverse wave is to a compression in a longitudinal wave as a trough is to:
A. a resonance
B. a beat
C. interference
D. a rarefaction
E. an antinode
Rarefaction
To answer this question, we need to understand the differences between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.
In a transverse wave, the particle motion is perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling. The crest is the highest point of the wave, and the trough is the lowest point. Examples of transverse waves include electromagnetic waves like light and water waves.
In a longitudinal wave, the particle motion is parallel to the direction the wave is traveling. Instead of crests and troughs, we have compressions and rarefactions. In a compression, particles are pushed closer together, while in a rarefaction, particles are spread apart. Examples of longitudinal waves include sound waves and seismic waves.
So, in response to the question, we need to find the option that refers to a rarefaction in a longitudinal wave. The correct answer is D. a rarefaction