Another property of a longitudinal wave is amplitude. Just as in a transverse wave, the amplitude of a longitudinal wave is the largest displacement of a part of the medium.
The yellow string marks one coil in this spring toy. Watch how far the yellow string is displaced to the right or to the left from its starting, or rest, position. That displacement is the wave's amplitude.
The amplitude of a longitudinal wave is related to how close together the particles are in a compression. Complete the sentences to explain why.
When a wave with
amplitude moves through the spring toy, each coil is displaced farther to the right or left. As a result, the coils in a compression are squeezed together