Longitudinal wave disturbances that travel through a medium are known as what type of waves?

Longitudinal wave disturbances that travel through a medium are known as sound waves. This type of wave is characterized by oscillations of particles in the medium being parallel to the direction of wave propagation. When a sound wave travels through air, for instance, the air molecules vibrate back and forth in the same direction that the wave is moving, creating areas of compression and rarefaction.

In contrast to sound waves, electromagnetic waves (such as light) do not require a medium to travel, as they consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Gravity waves refer to a different phenomenon related to the interface between fluids, such as ocean waves influenced by gravity. Lastly, transverse waves involve movements that are perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels, which is not the case for longitudinal waves like sound. Thus, understanding these distinctions clarifies why sound waves are classified as longitudinal waves.