Sound and light waves are

Join Our Telegram Channel

respectively longitudinal and transverse in air

respectively transverse and longitudinal in air

both longitudinal in air

both transverse in air

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2023

Download PDF Attempt Online

Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (like air, water, or solids) to propagate. In air, sound waves are longitudinal waves, meaning the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth parallel to the direction in which the wave travels, creating regions of compression and rarefaction.
Light waves are electromagnetic waves and do not require a medium to propagate (they can travel through a vacuum). Light waves are transverse waves, meaning the oscillations of the electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels.
Therefore, sound waves are longitudinal in air, and light waves are transverse in air (and other media, or vacuum).

– Sound waves are longitudinal in gases and liquids.
– Light waves are always transverse.

While sound waves are longitudinal in air and fluids, they can be both longitudinal and transverse in solids. Other examples of transverse waves include waves on a string and some seismic waves (S-waves). Examples of longitudinal waves include P-waves (a type of seismic wave) and waves in a spring compressed and stretched along its length.

More similar MCQ questions for Exam preparation:-