Question

Which of the following cannot be polarized?
A. Ultraviolet rays
B. Ultrasonic waves
C. X-rays
D. Radio waves

Answer 1

Hint: There are two types of waves namely the transverse waves and longitudinal waves. Motion in which all points on a wave oscillate along paths at right angles to the direction of the wave’s advance is known as the motion of a transverse wave. Surface ripples on water, seismic S waves, and electromagnetic waves are examples of transverse waves.

Complete step by step answer:
Longitudinal waves cannot be polarized like the transverse wave. The motion of the particles is already in one dimension that is in the direction of propagation of the wave. All the electromagnetic waves are transverse waves and they can be polarized.
The only longitudinal wave in the option is ultrasonic wave which is a sound wave. So the ultrasonic waves don’t get polarized.

Hence the correct answer is option B.

Note:
We can explain longitudinal waves as waves in which the displacement of the particles take place in the same direction as that of the propagation of the wave. Transverse waves may also be complex, where the curves demonstrating them are made of two or more sine or cosine curves. Light is another example of a transverse wave. Transverse waves commonly occur in elastic solids. Electromagnetic wave which is also a transverse wave consists of both electric and magnetic fields which are perpendicular to each other. Propagation of the electromagnetic field happens in the direction perpendicular to both electric and magnetic fields. Direction of propagation of the electromagnetic field is determined by the right hand thumb rule.