Which of the following statements indicates that light waves are transverse?
Which of the following statements indicates that light waves are transverse?
The correct option is C Light waves can be polarized.
Correct Option: Option C
- The waves in which the direction of oscillation of medium particle is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of waves are called transverse waves.
- The process in which an unpolarized light propagating in different planes is passed through a polarizer such that the light gets polarized and moves in a single plane is known as polarization.
- Transverse light propagates in two planes as it propagates in the direction perpendicular direction of oscillation of the medium of particle. When it passes through the polarizer it gets polarized and travels in a single plane.
- Thus, the polarization of light is the property that shows light waves are transverse in nature.
Incorrect Options
Option A
Light waves can travel through vacuum, but it does not show that they are transverse in nature. This is due to the fact that all transverse waves cannot travel through vacuum; only electromagnetic waves can. So, this option is incorrect.
Option B
The phenomenon of superposition of two or more waves that results in a wave with an amplitude that is either larger or smaller than the two waves is called interference. The interference of light shows the wave nature of light and does not describe further what kind of wave it is. So, this option is incorrect.
Option D
Diffraction of a wave is the process of bending the wave due to an obstacle. The diffraction of light shows the wave nature of light and does not describe further what kind of wave it is. So, this option is incorrect.
Hence, option C is correct.
Light waves can be polarized.
Correct Option: Option C
- The waves in which the direction of oscillation of medium particle is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of waves are called transverse waves.
- The process in which an unpolarized light propagating in different planes is passed through a polarizer such that the light gets polarized and moves in a single plane is known as polarization.
- Transverse light propagates in two planes as it propagates in the direction perpendicular direction of oscillation of the medium of particle. When it passes through the polarizer it gets polarized and travels in a single plane.
- Thus, the polarization of light is the property that shows light waves are transverse in nature.
Incorrect Options
Option A
Light waves can travel through vacuum, but it does not show that they are transverse in nature. This is due to the fact that all transverse waves cannot travel through vacuum; only electromagnetic waves can. So, this option is incorrect.
Option B
The phenomenon of superposition of two or more waves that results in a wave with an amplitude that is either larger or smaller than the two waves is called interference. The interference of light shows the wave nature of light and does not describe further what kind of wave it is. So, this option is incorrect.
Option D
Diffraction of a wave is the process of bending the wave due to an obstacle. The diffraction of light shows the wave nature of light and does not describe further what kind of wave it is. So, this option is incorrect.
Hence, option C is correct.
