Question

Sound travels through a gas under which of the following condition?

• A. Isothermal condition
• B. Non-isothermal condition
• C. Adiabatic condition
• D. Transverse condition

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Adiabatic condition

The explanation for the correct option:

In the case of option C,

1. Adiabatic is defined as a condition in which heat remains constant.
2. When a sound wave travels through a medium then the particle of medium gets disturbed and formation of compression and rarefraction occurs.
3. Because the formation of the compressions and rarefactions occurs so quickly.
4. The heat produced in the regions of the compressions does not have time to transfer to the regions of the rarefactions to bring about temperature equality.
5. Consequently, the temperature does not change while sound propagates through the gas.
6. Thus, sound travels through a gas under adiabatic conditions.

The explanation for the incorrect options.

In the case of option A,

1. Isothermal is defined as a condition at which the temperature of the gas remains constant due to the fact that thermal energy remains the same.
2. But when a sound wave travels through a gas heat is generated due to the vibration of particles.
3. So, sound cannot travel through a gas under isothermal conditions.

In the case of option B,

1. Fluid flows have non-constant temperatures and are referred to as non-isothermal flows.
2. Since heat is generated due to the vibration of particles.
3. Therefore, sound cannot travel through a gas under non-isothermal conditions.

In the case of option D,

1. The vibrations of transverse waves, such as light, are perpendicular to the wave propagation direction.
2. The vibrations of longitudinal waves, such as sound, are parallel to the wave propagation direction.
3. Hence, sound cannot travel through gas under transverse condition.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.