Mechanical waves cannot travel through outer space because they:
Correct answer: D. Lose transmission without interacting particles
- A. Have low speed in vacuum
- B. Disperse in space due to long wavelength
- C. Lose frequency in the absence of air
- D. Lose transmission without interacting particles
Explanation
A mechanical wave propagates by particles of a medium pushing on their neighbours, so with no particles there is nothing to carry the disturbance and sound simply does not exist in a vacuum. Electromagnetic waves need no medium, which is why light crosses space while sound cannot. The frequency of a wave is set by its source and is not lost.
This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2025 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Progressive Waves
Progressive waves transfer energy through a medium or space while particles oscillate about their equilibrium positions. The work includes amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, phase difference, wave speed and the progressive wave equation, while distinguishing travelling waves from stationary waves, where the pattern has fixed nodes and antinodes.
Practise Waves
1,281 free Waves MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Physics questions like this
Physics is on 16 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Progressive Waves questions
Only transverse waves can be polarised because polarisation restricts
In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium vibrate
Frequency is the inverse of __________?
When the amplitude of a wave becomes double its energy become_________________?
The locus of all points in a medium having the same phase of vibration is called____________________?
A point source of light placed in a homogeneous medium gives rise to ___________________?