Exam-style question
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Which of the following is a primary difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?.
- A.Longitudinal waves can travel through solids, while transverse waves cannot.
- B.Transverse waves can be polarized, while longitudinal waves cannot.
- C.Longitudinal waves have a higher frequency than transverse waves.
- D.Transverse waves require a medium to travel, while longitudinal waves do not.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Transverse waves can be polarized, while longitudinal waves cannot.
Explanation
Why this works
The key difference is that transverse waves can be polarized due to their perpendicular particle motion, while longitudinal waves cannot be polarized as their particle motion is parallel to the wave direction. This distinction is important in applications such as optics, where polarization is a critical property.
Common mistake
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