Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 8: Problem 5

_______ waves are compressional, while _________ waves oscillate perpendicular to their line of travel. a. longitudinal; transverse b. transverse; longitudinal c. \(P\) waves; \(S\) waves d. S waves; P waves e. both a and c f. both b and d

Short Answer

Expert verified
e. both a and c

Step by step solution

01

Definitions of Wave Types

Understand the definitions of longitudinal and transverse waves. Longitudinal waves are compressional waves where particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Transverse waves oscillate perpendicular to their line of travel.
02

Identify Correct Examples

Match the given options with wave types: Longitudinal waves can be represented by sound waves or pressure waves. Transverse waves can be represented by light waves or waves on a string.
03

Evaluate the Options

Look at the provided options:a. Longitudinal waves are compressional, and transverse waves oscillate perpendicular to travel.b. Transverse waves are compressional, and longitudinal waves oscillate perpendicular to travel.c. P waves are compressional, and S waves oscillate perpendicular to travel.d. S waves are compressional, and P waves oscillate perpendicular to travel.e. Both a and c are correct.f. Both b and d are correct.
04

Correct Answer

Identify that the correct answers match the definitions provided in Step 1. Both options a and c correctly identify longitudinal waves as compressional and transverse waves as oscillating perpendicular to travel.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Longitudinal Waves
Longitudinal waves are a type of wave where the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation. This means the particles move back and forth in the same direction as the wave is traveling. You can think of it like a series of compressions and rarefactions moving through a medium.

Here are some key points:
  • Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel through, such as air, water, or solids.
  • Sound waves are a common example of longitudinal waves. When you speak, your vocal cords create compressions and expansions in the air, which travel to the listener's ear.
  • P waves (Primary waves) in earthquakes are another example. They move through the Earth's interior, compressing and expanding the material they pass through.
Understanding longitudinal waves helps in various fields including acoustics, seismology, and even medical imaging.
Transverse Waves
Transverse waves differ from longitudinal waves in that the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Think of how a wave moves along a rope held at both ends. When you wiggle one end up and down, the wave travels along the rope, but the particles of the rope move perpendicularly to the direction of the wave.

Key characteristics include:
  • Transverse waves can travel through solids, but not always through liquids and gases.
  • Light waves and electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. The electric and magnetic fields oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
  • S waves (Secondary waves), which occur in earthquakes, are also transverse waves. They move the ground up and down or side to side, perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling.
Understanding transverse waves is crucial in optics, telecommunications, and geology.
Wave Propagation
Wave propagation refers to the movement of waves through a medium or space. There are several important aspects to how waves propagate:

  • In both longitudinal and transverse waves, energy is transferred from one point to another within a medium.
  • The speed of wave propagation depends on the properties of the medium, such as density and elasticity.
  • In a longitudinal wave, the propagation involves alternating compressions and rarefactions, while in a transverse wave, it involves crests and troughs.
  • In the case of electromagnetic waves, which are transverse waves, they can propagate through a vacuum without needing a medium.
Understanding wave propagation is essential for various technologies, including ultrasound imaging, seismology, and even in the study of light and sound transmission.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Explain some of the geological evidence suggesting that Mars once had liquid water on its surface.

Use the Google Earth platform to explore the Moon, Mercury, and Mars. a. View all sides of the Moon. Does one hemisphere look more heavily cratered than others, and if so, why? b. View the planet Mercury. In what ways is Mercury similar to and in what ways different from the Moon? (You might need to get the Mercury KMZ file: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/the_mission/google.html) c. View all sides of the planet Mars. What differences can you see between the northern and southern hemispheres?

_______,_______, and _________, build up structures on the terrestrial planets, while _______ tears them down. a. impacts, erosion, volcanism; tectonism b. impacts, tectonism, volcanism; erosion c. tectonism, volcanism, erosion; impacts d. tectonism, impacts, erosion; volcanism

Geologists can determine the actual age of features on a planet by a. radiometric dating of rocks retrieved from the planet. b. comparing cratering rates on one planet to those on another. c. assuming that all features on a planetary surface are the same age. d. both a and b e. both b and c

The object that created Arizona's Meteor Crater was estimated to have a diameter of 50 meters and a mass of 300 million kg. Calculate the density of the impacting object, and explain what that may tell you about its composition.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Fluids

Read Explanation

Nuclear Physics

Read Explanation

Kinematics Physics

Read Explanation

Dynamics

Read Explanation

Mechanics and Materials

Read Explanation

Thermodynamics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free