Which of the following waves are not transverse in nature? (A) light emitted from a sodium lamp (B) sound waves travelling in air (C) \(\mathrm{x}\) rays from an \(\mathrm{x}\) ray machine (D) microwaves used in radar

To determine if a wave is transverse or not, we need to understand the nature of each wave. (A) Light emitted from a sodium lamp - This type of wave is an electromagnetic wave. Electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature, as their electric and magnetic fields oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy propagation. (B) Sound waves traveling in air - Sound waves are mechanical waves that travel through a medium such as air. In a sound wave, the particles in the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of the wave's energy propagation, making it a longitudinal wave. (C) X-rays from an X-ray machine - X-rays, like light waves emitted from a sodium lamp, are also electromagnetic waves. Hence, they are transverse in nature. (D) Microwaves used in radar - Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic wave, just like light waves and X-rays. Therefore, they are also transverse in nature.

From our analysis in Step 1, we know the wave types for each option: (A) Light emitted from a sodium lamp - Transverse (B) Sound waves traveling in air - Longitudinal (C) X-rays from an X-ray machine - Transverse (D) Microwaves used in radar - Transverse The question asks which wave is not transverse in nature. The only wave that is not a transverse wave is the sound wave traveling in air (Option B). Therefore, the correct answer is (B) sound waves traveling in air.