Explain why sound waves cannot be plane Polarized.

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Why sound waves cannot be plane polarized

Sound waves are longitudinal waves: the particles of the medium vibrate along the same direction in which the wave travels (backwards and forwards, forming compressions and rarefactions).

Polarization is the restriction of the vibrations of a wave to a single plane. This is only possible when the vibrations are perpendicular (transverse) to the direction of travel, because only then are there sideways vibrations that can be confined to one plane.

Since the vibrations of a sound wave are parallel to the direction of propagation and are the same in every plane containing that direction, there is no sideways component that can be selected out. Therefore a sound wave cannot be plane polarized. Only transverse waves (such as light) can be polarized.

Read lesson note on Sound Waves (WAEC)

Answer Details

Why sound waves cannot be plane polarized

Sound waves are longitudinal waves: the particles of the medium vibrate along the same direction in which the wave travels (backwards and forwards, forming compressions and rarefactions).

Read lesson note on Sound Waves (WAEC)

Sound Waves

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