Sound waves do not travel in vacuum because ___________________?
Correct answer: C. they require material medium for propagation
- A. they are transverse waves
- B. they are stationary waves
- C. they require material medium for propagation
- D. they do not have enough energy
Explanation
Sound is a mechanical wave, so its particles must pass vibrations from one particle to the next through a material medium. A vacuum contains no particles to transmit the compressions and rarefactions. Students may choose transverse because sound cannot travel in vacuum, but wave type and the need for a medium are separate concepts.
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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.
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