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#medium property

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

Which property of a medium allows longitudinal waves to propagate through it but not transverse waves?

**Nature of wave** determines energy transfer mechanism. Longitudinal nature of sound explains propagation through fluids with density variations carrying energy, unlike transverse waves needing rigidity for restoring force. Longitudinal waves require a medium with bulk modulus (resistance to compression), which fluids possess. Transverse waves need shear modulus (resistance to shearing), which fluids lack due to their inability to sustain shear stress. Using v = fλ and standing-wave condition fₙ = n v/(2L) or v/(4L) as applicable, calculation yields Lack of shear modulus, illustrating frequency-length-speed interdependence and quantization by boundaries.

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Waves > Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

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Wave Speed, Energy and Power

In a transverse wave traveling along a stretched string, which property of the medium primarily determines the speed of

**Wave speed on string** is v = √(T/μ), T tension (N), μ = m/L linear mass density (kg/m). Higher T increases restoring force raising speed, heavier μ lowers speed. Frequency follows f = v/λ, linking mechanical properties to wave dynamics and harmonic series. The speed of a transverse wave on a string is given by v = √((T/μ)) , where T is tension and μ is linear mass density. Tension is a property imposed on the medium, and it primarily influences the speed by providing the restoring force, while μ relates to inertia. Using v = fλ and standing-wave condition fₙ = n v/(2L) or

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Waves > Wave Speed, Energy and Power

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