Which of the following would NOT be an example of a longitudinal wave?
Teacher: What is a longitudinal wave Me: - Matrix Morpheus ...
a
Tsunami wave
b
Sound
c
Vibration of spring
d
Water wave vibrations
d - Water wave vibrations.
The correct answer is d) Water wave vibrations.
Explanation:
A longitudinal wave is a type of wave where the displacement of the medium is in the same direction as the wave propagates. In other words, the particles of the medium move back and forth parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Examples of longitudinal waves include sound waves and vibrations of a spring.
Tsunami waves are actually a type of long-period ocean wave caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, usually from an earthquake or volcanic eruption. While they may have some characteristics of both transverse and longitudinal waves, they are primarily classified as longitudinal waves.
Sound waves are also longitudinal waves because they involve the compression and rarefaction of air particles, where the particles move parallel to the direction of sound wave propagation.
Vibrations of a spring are also examples of longitudinal waves because the particles of the spring move back and forth parallel to the direction of the wave propagation.
Water wave vibrations, on the other hand, are an example of transverse waves. In a water wave, the particles of the medium (water) move up and down perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, resulting in the characteristic crests and troughs of waves. Transverse waves and longitudinal waves are distinguished by the motion of the particles in the medium.
To determine which of the options would NOT be an example of a longitudinal wave, let's first understand what a longitudinal wave is.
A longitudinal wave is a type of wave in which the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave propagation. In simpler terms, the particles of the medium move back and forth in the same direction that the wave is traveling.
Now, let's analyze each option:
a) Tsunami wave: Tsunamis are caused by underwater disturbances which generate waves. These waves involve the motion of water particles both vertically and horizontally, making it a combination of longitudinal and transverse waves. So, tsunami waves can have longitudinal components.
b) Sound: Sound waves are examples of longitudinal waves. The particles of the medium (usually air) vibrate back and forth parallel to the direction of the sound wave.
c) Vibration of spring: When a spring oscillates, the particles of the spring move back and forth along the same direction as the wave propagation. This is characteristic of longitudinal waves.
d) Water wave vibrations: Water waves can be either longitudinal or transverse in nature. So, water wave vibrations can have both longitudinal and transverse components.
Based on our analysis, option a (Tsunami wave) is the one that would NOT be an example of a purely longitudinal wave, as it can have transverse components.