A Level Physics Practice Exam

What distinguishes a transverse wave from a longitudinal wave?

1. It requires a medium

2. It can be polarized

3. It travels faster

4. It consists of multiple frequencies

The correct answer is: It can be polarized

A transverse wave is characterized by the movement of the medium's particles being perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel. This distinct feature allows for polarization, which is the alignment of the wave's oscillations in a particular direction. Polarization is a property unique to transverse waves because it involves directional oscillations that can be restricted or filtered. In contrast, longitudinal waves, where the medium's particles move parallel to the direction of wave travel, do not exhibit polarization since their oscillations do not have a directional component that can be isolated or filtered. The option discussing the requirement for a medium is true for both wave types, while traveling speed or the composition of frequencies does not inherently differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves. Therefore, the ability to be polarized stands out as the key distinction in this context.