Sally and Conrad were arguing over the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave. Sally said that mechanical waves could be either transverse or longitudinal. Conrad said that sound waves were longitudinal and not transverse. Who is correct and why?

Group of answer choices

Neither are correct.

Only Conrad is correct because sound waves are not transverse waves.

Only Sally is correct because longitudinal waves and transverse waves are mechanical waves.

Both are correct since sound waves are mechanical waves.

Both are correct since sound waves are mechanical waves.

Option: D.

Explanation:

A wave is a recurring event that transfers energy through vibrations. It caused by the disturbance movement in a medium. The medium can be solid, liquid or gas and it can come in many forms and shapes.

If the particles in the medium moved in the perpendicular direction to the wave is called transverse wave and if those particles moved in the parallel direction to the wave then it is a longitudinal wave.

Mechanical waves require a medium to transfer that energy. Moreover, based on the medium properties (inertial and elastic) it can be changed as either transverse or longitude.

In, sound wave the particles will move in the parallel direction to the wave. Also, it comes under mechanical wave since it requires an air medium to travel.