Answer to Question #207706 in Classical Mechanics for Rae

Question

Which statement is true?

A: In case of longitudinal waves the direction of oscillation and

propagation are perpendicular to each other.

B: Mechanical waves can only be transverse.

C: Mechanical waves propagate as transverse waves only in solid

materials (and partially on liquid surfaces).

D: Waves always carry material.

Answer 1

Answer : C

Waves are called transverse if the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicularly (across) the wave beam. They exist mainly due to the elastic forces arising from shear deformation, and therefore exist only in solid media.

Transverse waves appear on the surface of the liquid, since the boundary of the media vibrates.