Final answer:
Light waves are transverse and electromagnetic, characterized by perpendicular oscillations of electric and magnetic fields to the direction of propagation, not requiring a medium to travel. Option A is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Light waves are an important part of the electromagnetic spectrum and have properties that are distinct from mechanical waves, such as sound waves. Understanding the characteristics of light waves is crucial in the field of physics. Light waves are not mechanical in nature; instead, they are electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves, such as visible light, are characterized by oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to the direction of propagation. They differ from mechanical waves, which require a medium to travel through and can be either transverse or longitudinal.
A transverse wave is one where the oscillations of the medium, or, in the case of electromagnetic waves, the oscillations of the electric and magnetic fields, are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. This is clearly depicted in illustrations that show the relationship between electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields in an electromagnetic wave. Further analysis of this relationship, through diagrams like Figures 27.37 and 27.38, also explains polarization, demonstrating how the direction of the electric field relates to the way waves behave when encountering obstacles with various orientations.
To address the student's question directly, light waves are best described as transverse and electromagnetic. They do not require a physical medium to travel, unlike sound waves, which are mechanical and can be either transverse in solid materials or longitudinal in fluids like air or water. Therefore, the correct option to describe light waves is option a. transverse and electromagnetic