The sound wave is a type of-

CONCEPT:

• Wave: The disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another is called a wave.

There are mainly two types of waves:

• Electromagnetic waves: The wave which is generated due to vibration between electric field and magnetic field and it does not need any medium to travel is called an electromagnetic wave. It can travel through a vacuum.
  • Light is a form of energy which is an example of electromagnetic waves.
  • Electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature because they propagate by varying their electric and magnetic fields so that both the fields propagate perpendicular to each other.
• Mechanical waves: The oscillation of matter which is responsible for the transfer of energy through a medium is called a mechanical wave. It can’t travel through a vacuum.
  • Example: sound waves, waves in a string, etc

There are two types of mechanical waves:

1. Transverse waves: The wave in which the movement of the particles is at right angles to the motion of the energy is called a transverse wave. Light is an example of a transverse wave.
2. Longitudinal wave: The wave in which the movement of the particles is parallel to the motion of the energy is called a longitudinal wave. The sound wave is an example of a longitudinal wave.

• A water wave is the combination of longitudinal waves and transverse waves. It can be seen when we throw a piece of stone in water and there is a vibration on the surface of the water.

EXPLANATION:

• The sound needs a medium to travel.
• So the sound wave is a mechanical wave. Hence option 2 is correct.