Which of the following is true about light waves? (Select all that apply.)

Question

Light waves need a medium to travel through.

Light waves are longitudinal.

Light waves are transverse.

Light waves do not need a medium to travel through.

Answer 1

The following statements about light waves are true:

1. Light waves are transverse.
2. Light waves do not need a medium to travel through.

The statements about light waves needing a medium and being longitudinal are false. Light waves can propagate through a vacuum and are characterized by their transverse nature, where the oscillation of the electric and magnetic fields is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.