Question

All waves can be classified into two categories which are
A. Sound waves and electromagnetic waves
B. Transverse waves and electromagnetic waves
C. Longitudinal waves and electromagnetic waves
D. Transverse waves and longitudinal waves

Answer 1

Hint: In the given question we are asked about the major two categories in which all the types of waves can be classified. Now there are more than two types of waves but all these waves can be categorized into two broad categories which have many subcategories.

Complete answer:
First, let us define waves in general terms before categorizing them. Wave can be defined as a disturbance that travels through a medium, transporting energy from one location to another without transporting matter. Some common waves are wind waves, sound waves, water waves, etc.

The water waves mainly have two parts called crest and trough through which the wave travels from one location to the other. The point of the wave with a maximum value of upward displacement within a cycle is called a crest and trough is the lowest point in a cycle.Now the waves can be divided into two categories depending on the direction of propagation of the particles in a medium concerning the direction of propagation of the wave.

These two categories are Transverse waves and longitudinal waves. The transverse wave as the name suggests is a wave in which the particle in a medium propagates in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the wave moves. Whereas longitudinal waves are the waves in which the particle in a medium propagates in a direction parallel to the direction that the wave moves.

Hence, C is the correct option.

Note: All sound waves are longitudinal waves. The waves can be classified based on the medium of propagation. The electromagnetic waves are the waves that do not need a medium to travel whereas mechanical waves need a medium to travel. And also a third category called matter waves is known which depicts the wave nature of matter.