Question

Sound waves are waves, and light waves are .

1. Longitudinal mechanical, transverse mechanical
2. Longitudinal electromagnetic, transverse mechanical
3. Longitudinal mechanical, transverse electromagnetic
4. Longitudinal electromagnetic, transverse electromagnetic

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3: Longitudinal mechanical, transverse electromagnetic

Detailed Solution

Answer: (3) Longitudinal mechanical, transverse electromagnetic

Explanation:

Sound waves are longitudinal mechanical waves because they travel through the vibrations of particles in a material medium such as air, water, or solids. The particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Sound cannot travel in a vacuum because it always requires a medium.

In contrast, light waves are transverse electromagnetic waves. They consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of propagation. Light does not require any material medium and can travel through a vacuum at nearly 3 × 10⁸ m/s. Light also exhibits wave-particle duality and forms the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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