Longitudinal Wave Velocity: Why it's Greater in Solids

[Arka sarkar]

Why the velocity of longitudinal wave in solid is greater than transverse wave

 

[jedishrfu]

Here’s some animations that describe the wave types. It looks like longitudinal waves are more direct in action basically each particle pushes against the next in a direct line.

http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html