Asked by grim

Which statements accurately describe sound waves? Check all that apply.

Sound waves are transverse waves.
Sound waves require a medium to transfer energy.
Sound is heard when a vibration strikes the ear.
Sound waves can only travel through liquids and gases.
When particles of a medium interact, part of the wave’s energy is lost.
A wave’s energy can be distinguished from other movements of the medium.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Correct statements:
- Sound waves require a medium to transfer energy. — True. Sound is a mechanical wave and needs a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate.
- Sound is heard when a vibration strikes the ear. — True. Hearing results when pressure vibrations in the medium make the eardrum and inner ear structures vibrate.
- When particles of a medium interact, part of the wave’s energy is lost. — True (in real media). Interactions and friction/absorption convert some wave energy to thermal energy, causing attenuation.
- A wave’s energy can be distinguished from other movements of the medium. — True. Wave energy is carried by the oscillatory motion associated with the wave and can be separated conceptually from any bulk or steady motion of the medium.

Incorrect statements:
- Sound waves are transverse waves. — False in fluids; sound in air and liquids is primarily longitudinal (solids can support transverse sound).
- Sound waves can only travel through liquids and gases. — False. Sound also travels through solids (but not through a vacuum).