Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsWave Motion and Waves on a String
A wave travelling in a gas
Options
- Amust be transverse
- Bmay be transverse
- Cmust be longitudinal
- Dmay be longitudinal
Correct answer
D. may be longitudinal
Step-by-step solution
A wave travelling in a gas can be either a mechanical wave or an electromagnetic wave. If the wave is mechanical, such as a sound wave, it must be longitudinal. This is because gases lack shear modulus and cannot support transverse mechanical waves. If the wave is electromagnetic, such as a light wave, it is transverse in nature and can propagate through a gas. Therefore, a wave travelling in a gas may be transverse or may be longitudinal.