Longitudinal and Transverse Waves NEET Questions

Physics - Oscillations and Waves

Longitudinal and Transverse Waves MCQ Questions


1.
In a transverse wave, the direction of oscillation of medium particles is:
A.
In a random direction with no fixed relationship to propagation
B.
At 45° to the direction of wave propagation
C.
Parallel to the direction of wave propagation
D.
Perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of wave propagation
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ANSWER :
D. Perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of wave propagation
2.
In a longitudinal wave, the direction of oscillation of medium particles is:
A.
Parallel to (along) the direction of wave propagation
B.
In a circular path about the direction of propagation
C.
Alternately parallel and perpendicular
D.
Perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation
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ANSWER :
A. Parallel to (along) the direction of wave propagation
3.
Which of the following correctly classifies sound waves in air?
A.
Electromagnetic waves — sound travels without requiring a medium
B.
Transverse electromagnetic waves
C.
Transverse mechanical waves — air molecules oscillate perpendicular to sound propagation
D.
Longitudinal mechanical waves — air molecules oscillate parallel to the direction of sound propagation
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ANSWER :
D. Longitudinal mechanical waves — air molecules oscillate parallel to the direction of sound propagation
4.
Which of the following is an example of a transverse wave?
A.
Sound waves produced by a vibrating tuning fork
B.
Seismic P-waves (primary waves) travelling through Earth's crust
C.
A wave propagating along a stretched string when one end is given a sideways jerk
D.
Sound waves in a long tube of gas
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ANSWER :
C. A wave propagating along a stretched string when one end is given a sideways jerk
5.
Waves on a stretched string, when a periodic up-and-down jerk is applied to one end, are:
A.
Transverse waves — string elements oscillate perpendicular to the string's length (direction of wave travel)
B.
Both transverse and longitudinal simultaneously
C.
Longitudinal waves — string elements oscillate along the string's length
D.
Neither transverse nor longitudinal — they are surface waves
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ANSWER :
A. Transverse waves — string elements oscillate perpendicular to the string's length (direction of wave travel)
6.
Transverse waves can propagate only in media that can sustain:
A.
Tensile stress only — stretched strings only
B.
Both compressive and shearing stress equally — all media
C.
Shearing (tangential) stress — solids but NOT fluids (liquids or gases)
D.
Compressive stress only — gases but not solids
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ANSWER :
C. Shearing (tangential) stress — solids but NOT fluids (liquids or gases)