Physics Waves BUMHS 2024
PMDC Verified Question 23 of 125
Sounds wave are not polarized in air because:
A
they are longitudinal waves
B
they are transverse waves
C
they need media for its propagation
D
they have shorter wave lengths
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option A: they are longitudinal waves
Concept:

Polarization is a geometric filtering process that is strictly impossible for certain types of waves.

Solution:

  • Polarization involves restricting a wave's perpendicular vibrations to a single plane (like sliding a vibrating rope through a narrow vertical fence slit).


  • Sound waves in air are longitudinal waves. This means their particles vibrate purely back-and-forth along the exact same straight line as the wave's forward motion.


  • Because all the motion is already locked onto a single 1-dimensional axis, there are no perpendicular "planes" left to filter out. Thus, longitudinal waves can never be polarized.


Why other options are incorrect:

Transverse waves (Option B) are the only waves that can be polarized. The need for a medium (Option C) or wavelength size (Option D) has no bearing on geometric polarization.

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