Question

State why transverse Waves cannot propagate through gaseous medium.

Answer 1

Propagation of waves depends upon the medium through which they propagate. To understand this one needs to understand the phenomenon of interaction of particles in a given medium. In solids particles/atoms/molecules are relatively closer to each other (not in all solids though . . . take for example wood !) thereby the forces that they interact with with their neighbours are way too larger than those in fluids (liquids and gases). The inter particle interaction in gases (under normal ciecumstances) is the least. . . even smaller than that in liquids. For transverse waves or S waves (as they are technically called) to travel through a medium the inter atomic/interparticle forces should be stronger. . . . similar to those found in solids. So transverse waves traverse through solids. While in fluids the particles transfer their energy (that's what wave propafation is . . . transfer/transport of energy) longitudinally.