Question

Waves inside a gas are
A. Longitudinal
B. Transverse
C. Partly longitudinal, partly transverse
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The disturbance created in any medium creates a wave. There are two types of the wave: Longitudinal and Transverse waves. The waves travelling in different mediums are different.

Complete step-by-step answer:
The disturbance created in any medium by the particle carrying energy is known as waves. The waves are the form of transfer of energy. Usually waves show periodic motion. Amplitude, frequency and wavelength are some important characteristics of waves. Waves are classified as:
i. Longitudinal wave: When the wave travels in the same direction of propagation, the waves are known as longitudinal waves.
ii.Transverse wave: When the wave travels perpendicular to the direction of propagation, the waves are known as transverse waves.
When a wave is travelling in gas, the direction of the wave is always parallel to the propagation of the wave. The wave and the air travel in the same direction. Thus, waves in air are always longitudinal waves.
In some medium, the direction of the propagation of the wave is perpendicular to the direction of the wave. So, the waves travelling in this medium are transversal.

So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: The waves travelling to solid medium are generally longitudinal and transverse. The waves travelling through fluid (liquid and gas) are longitudinal.