Question

The sound waves in a medium are characterised by the:
(A) Linear motion of particle in the medium
(B) Rotatory motion of particles in the medium
(C) Oscillatory motion of particles in the medium
(D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question we should be knowing the process of propagation of the sound waves through a medium. The impact of the propagation of the sound waves on the medium should be considered while answering this question. The particles that make up the medium perform a certain characterized movement while the propagation of the sound wave. These characteristics will help us to explain the answer to this question.

Complete step by step answer:
Sound is known to be a mechanical wave that results from the back and forth vibration of the particles of the medium, through which the sound wave is travelling.
When a sound wave moves from left to right through the air, the motion that is followed is oscillatory motion. In this oscillatory motion the particles of the air will be displaced in both the direction that is the rightward and the leftward as the energy of the sound waves passes through the air particles.
Hence we can say that the sound waves in a medium are characterised by the oscillatory motion of particles in the medium.

So the correct option is Option C.

Note: The propagation of the sound waves through the medium is explained as the movement of a longitudinal wave through a material. The movement of the sound waves are explained with the help of successive compressions and rarefactions in the medium. While the propagation of the sound waves, it is the energy of the sound that is propagating and not the particles of the medium that is propagating.
We should also know that sound cannot travel in vacuum.