Sound waves travel in the air in the form of _______.

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Only longitudinal waves.

Sound waves travel through air as longitudinal waves. In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave's propagation. These waves create regions of compression (where particles are close together) and rarefaction (where particles are spread apart) as they move through the medium.

Electromagnetic Waves:

• Sound is not an electromagnetic wave.
• Electromagnetic waves, such as light or radio waves, do not require a medium to travel and can propagate in a vacuum.

Transverse Waves:

• In transverse waves, particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the wave's propagation.
• Examples include water waves and electromagnetic waves, but sound in air is not transverse.

Both Transverse and Longitudinal Waves:

• This is incorrect for air, as sound travels only as longitudinal waves in air.
• However, in solids, sound can exhibit both longitudinal and transverse wave characteristics.

Only Longitudinal Waves:

• Correct, as sound waves in air propagate as longitudinal waves due to the compression and rarefaction mechanism in the medium.

Additional Information:

Characteristics of Longitudinal Waves:

• Require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate.
• Speed depends on the medium's density and elasticity.

Sound Propagation in Different Media:

• Air: Longitudinal waves.
• Water: Longitudinal waves.
• Solids: Both longitudinal and transverse waves.

Transverse vs. Longitudinal Waves:

• In longitudinal waves, particle displacement is parallel to wave propagation.
• In transverse waves, particle displacement is perpendicular to wave propagation.