What type of mechanical wave requires a medium for its propagation and travels through the medium by compressing and rarefying it in the direction of wave propagation?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Longitudinal waves require a material medium for propagation and travel by creating alternating regions of compressions and rarefactions parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Transverse waves involve particle displacement perpendicular to wave motion, whereas electromagnetic waves do not require any physical medium. Sound waves in air are classic examples of longitudinal mechanical waves.