Question

When sound waves are traveling in a medium, the energy is transferring:

Option 1: Up and down
Option 2: Left to right
Option 3: In and out
Option 4: All around

Answer 1

The energy in sound waves transfers in and out, or parallel to the wave motion, in what is known as simple harmonic motion since sound waves are longitudinal waves.

Step-by-step explanation:

When sound waves travel through a medium, the energy is transferred in the direction of the wave motion. The motion of the particles of the medium can be described based on the type of wave. In a transverse wave, the particles move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, meaning they move up and down or side to side, depending on the orientation of wave travel. However, sound waves are examples of longitudinal waves, where particles move back and forth in the same direction as the wave is traveling. This motion is analogous to the compression and rarefaction in sound waves, similar to the peaks and troughs in transverse waves. Therefore, the correct answer is that energy in sound waves is transferring in and out, or parallel to the wave motion, which is known as simple harmonic motion.

Answer 2

Sound waves transmit energy as a longitudinal wave, where the particles in the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave, leading to areas of compression and rarefaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

When sound waves are traveling in a medium, the energy is transferred primarily in and out, or parallel to the wave direction. This motion is characteristic of a longitudinal wave, where the medium oscillates parallel to the propagation of the wave. Therefore, the particles of the medium oscillate in and out around an equilibrium position. This means that when a sound wave travels through a medium such as air, the molecular displacements are along the direction of wave propagation resulting in areas of compression and rarefaction.

In contrast, a transverse wave moves the medium perpendicular to the direction of the wave travel, such as what is seen with waves on a string. Here, the particles move up and down while the wave moves horizontally. This is not the case for sound waves in a medium, as sound waves are longitudinal. The misinterpretation might come from the way sound waves spread out from the source in all directions, but the energy transfer is still along the direction of wave travel.

It is also important to note that sound cannot travel through a vacuum as there is no medium to carry the sound waves. Thus, statement d suggests particles move right and left when a wave travels in a vacuum is not applicable to sound