Which one of the following statements is true?
- Both light and sound waves can travel in vacuum
- Both light and sound waves in air are transverse
- The sound waves in air are longitudinal while the light waves are transverse
- Both light and sound waves in air are longitudinal
Answer
(3) The sound waves in air are longitudinal while the light waves are transverse
Solution
As per NCERT, sound is a mechanical wave: it needs a material medium (cannot travel in vacuum) and in air (a fluid) it travels as a longitudinal wave of compressions and rarefactions.
Light is an electromagnetic wave: it travels even in vacuum and its E and B vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation, so it is transverse.
Sound waves in air are longitudinal while light waves are transverse.
Answer: (3)