Question

It is said that, "Transverse waves can be produced in Solids, Liquids but not in Gases. Light is also transverse wave. But we know that light can be produced in Neon gas as in CFLbulbs. Thus Light waves defies the law of Transverse waves. How is that possible?

Answer 1

Light is an electromagnetic wave and unlike mechanical wave it doesn’t require a medium to propagate. While travelling through a gaseous medium light waves doesn’t involve in mechanical vibration of the gas molecules. Light wave propagates by transverse oscillation of electric field and magnetic field .