Which one of the following statements is true ?
- 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
- Both light and sound waves can travel in vacuum
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Light waves in the air are transverse, but sound waves are longitudinal.
Transverse waves are waves in which the direction of the wave propagation is opposite to the direction of the particle vibration in the medium. All electromagnetic waves, including light waves, are transverse waves.
Longitudinal waves are waves that propagate in a direction parallel to the direction in which particles in a medium vibrate. Lengthwise waves are what sound waves are.
Therefore, the correct option is (B): The sound waves in air are longitudinal while the light waves are transverse
Top Questions on Waves
- Let \( \lambda_e \), \( \lambda_p \), and \( \lambda_d \) be the wavelengths associated with an electron, a proton, and a deuteron, all moving with the same speed. Then the correct relation between them is:
- A person can hear a sound of frequency
- Which of the following statements are correct?
(i) Velocity of sound waves is greater in solids than liquids.
(ii) Velocity of sound waves in vacuum is 330 m/s.
(iii) Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
(iv) Velocity of sound waves in vacuum is zero. - If a travelling wave is given by \( y(x, t) = 0.5 \sin(70.1x - 10\pi t) \), where \( x \) and \( y \) are in metres, the time \( t \) is in seconds, then the frequency of the wave is
- The path difference between two waves given by the equations \( y_1 = a_1 \sin\left(\omega t - \frac{2\pi x}{\lambda}\right) \) and \( y_2 = a_2 \sin\left(\omega t - \frac{2\pi x}{\lambda} + \phi\right) \) is
Questions Asked in NEET exam
- De-Broglie wavelength of an electron orbiting in the \(n = 2\) state of hydrogen atom is close to (Given Bohr radius = 0.052 nm):
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- de broglie hypothesis
- Which chromosome in the human genome has the highest number of genes?
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Human genome
- In a certain camera, a combination of four similar thin convex lenses are arranged axially in contact. Then the power of the combination and the total magnification in comparison to one lens will be, respectively:
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Images Formed By Lenses
AB is a part of an electrical circuit (see figure). The potential difference \(V_A - V_B\), at the instant when current \(i = 2\) A and is increasing at a rate of 1 amp/second is:
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Electromagnetic Induction and Inductance
- A ball of mass 0.5 kg is dropped from a height of 10 m. The ball hits the ground and rises to a height of 1.5 m. The impulse imparted to the ball during its collision with the ground is : (Take \(g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\))
- NEET (UG) - 2025
- Collision and Impulse
Concepts Used:
Waves
Waves are a disturbance through which the energy travels from one point to another. Most acquainted are surface waves that tour on the water, but sound, mild, and the movement of subatomic particles all exhibit wavelike properties. inside the most effective waves, the disturbance oscillates periodically (see periodic movement) with a set frequency and wavelength.
Types of Waves:
Transverse Waves -
Waves in which the medium moves at right angles to the direction of the wave.
Examples of transverse waves:
- Water waves (ripples of gravity waves, not sound through water)
- Light waves
- S-wave earthquake waves
- Stringed instruments
- Torsion wave
The high point of a transverse wave is a crest. The low part is a trough.
Longitudinal Wave -
A longitudinal wave has the movement of the particles in the medium in the same dimension as the direction of movement of the wave.
Examples of longitudinal waves:
- Sound waves
- P-type earthquake waves
- Compression wave