Question

Sound waves are ______.

पर्याय

• longitudinal

• transverse

• partly longitudinal and partly transverse

• sometimes longitudinal and sometimes transverse

Answer 1

Sound waves are longitudinal.

Explanation:

Sound waves in air travel as compressions and rarefactions, with air particles vibrating parallel to the direction of propagation. Hence, sound waves in air are longitudinal. Gases cannot support transverse mechanical waves.

Avoid saying “sound is always longitudinal”, because transverse sound waves can occur in solids.