The motion of a longitudinal wave can best be described asGroup of answer choicesside to sidepush pullperpendicular

Identifying the Nature of Longitudinal Waves

1. Understanding Longitudinal Waves: Longitudinal waves are mechanical waves in which particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave's propagation. This is different from transverse waves, where the movement is perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

2. Characteristics of Longitudinal Waves: In a longitudinal wave, areas of compression (where particles are close together) and rarefaction (where particles are spread apart) occur. The wave energy travels in the same direction as the particle movement.

Answering the Multiple Choice Question

Based on the understanding of longitudinal waves:

• Side to side: This describes transverse motion, not applicable here.
• Push pull: This accurately describes the movement of particles in a longitudinal wave, as they move closer together and then farther apart in the same direction that the wave is traveling.
• Perpendicular: This also applies to transverse waves.

Final Answer

The best description of the motion of a longitudinal wave is push pull.