Name: Waves and Their Phases
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 6 min 51 s
Description: In this video, we will learn how two or more waves can be studied in terms of their phases. Equations of two waves and graphs of two waves. Learn more!

Question

What are elastic waves ? Explain why elastic transverse wave can pass through an elastic solid, but elastic longitudinal wave can pass through any elastic medium.

Accepted Answer

Elastic wave, motion in a medium in which, when particles are displaced, a force proportional to the displacement acts on the particles to restore them to their original position. If a material has the property of elasticity and the particles in a certain region are set in vibratory motion, an elastic wave will be propagated. For example, a gas is an elastic medium (if it is compressed and the pressure is then released, it will regain its former volume), and sound is transmitted through a gas as an elastic wave.

Elastic waves are normal mechanical waves which need a material medium to travel.

Transverse waves can travel only in solids and only along the surface of liquids, but not in the entire liquid.

Longitudinal waves can travel in all i.e. solids, liquids, and gases.

∴ The elastic waves in a solid could be either transverse or longitudinal in nature.

For the propagation of transverse waves, the medium must have the property of rigidity. Because gases have no rigidity, (they y do not possess shear elasticity), hence transverse waves cannot be produced is gases. On the other hand, the solids possess both volume and shear elasticity and likewise both the longitudinal and transverse waves can be transmitted through them.

What are elastic waves ? Explain why elastic transverse wave can pass through an elastic solid, but elastic longitudinal wave can pass through any elastic medium.

Important Questions on Waves

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !