Question

Sound waves are Sound waves are

(a) transverse waves characterized by the displacement of air molecules.
(b) longitudinal waves characterized by the displacement of air molecules.
(c) longitudinal waves characterized by pressure differences.
(d) Both (b) and (c). (e) (a), (b) and (c).

Answer 1

Sound waves in air and water are longitudinal waves characterized by pressure differences. Sound in solids can have both longitudinal and transverse components.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sound waves in air and water are longitudinal waves characterized by pressure differences. When sound waves propagate through a fluid like air or water, the disturbances are periodic variations in pressure, resulting in compressions (high-pressure regions) and rarefactions (low-pressure regions).

Fluids do not have appreciable shear strength, so the sound waves in them must be longitudinal or compressional. On the other hand, sound in solids can have both longitudinal and transverse components. For example, seismic waves generated by earthquakes have both longitudinal (compressional or P-waves) and transverse (shear or S-waves) components.

Answer 2

(c) longitudinal waves characterized by pressure differences.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sound waves are longitudinal waves which can travel through the medium in such a way that medium molecules will oscillate in the direction parallel to the direction of propagation of wave

So here we can say that medium molecules will oscillate in such a way that at few positions all the molecules comes closer and known as compression where pressure becomes maximum

While other points are those in which the pressure is minimum where molecules moves far apart known as rarefaction

So correct answer will be

(c) longitudinal waves characterized by pressure differences.