Question

Students were in charge of presenting information they found about the various types of waves to their group. Carl told his group "this wave can be transverse, travel through solids, and has a high frequency". Four different students responded with the questions shown.

Which student asked a question that would allow students to determine if Carl is talking about an electromagnetic wave or a mechanical wave?
A. Rebecca: "What is the amplitude of the wave?"
B. Amy: "Is the wave carrying energy or matter?"
C. Hanna: "Can the wave travel through something liquid too, like a milkshake?"
D. Yvonne: "Can the wave also travel without a medium?"

Answer 1

Yvonne's question about whether the wave can travel without a medium is the key to determining if Carl is referring to an electromagnetic or mechanical wave, as mechanical waves require a medium whereas electromagnetic waves do not.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asking a question that would allow the group to determine if Carl is talking about an electromagnetic wave or a mechanical wave is student D, Yvonne. Yvonne asked, "Can the wave also travel without a medium?". This question is pertinent because mechanical waves require a medium to propagate, such as solids, liquids, or gases, while electromagnetic waves do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum. Since Carl mentioned that the wave can travel through solids and has a high frequency, it doesn't necessarily distinguish between the two types of waves. The crucial piece of information needed is whether the wave can travel without a medium, which is a characteristic of electromagnetic waves but not mechanical waves.