Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumProduction, Propagation, and Classification of Waves

A signal generator positioned inside a transparent, sealed glass chamber produces both sound waves and radio waves simultaneously. As an air pump gradually evacuates the chamber to create a vacuum, which of the following best describes what happens to the propagation of these two waves?

  1. Sound waves cease to propagate, whereas radio waves continue to propagate through the chamber.Answer
  2. B
    Radio waves cease to propagate, whereas sound waves continue to propagate through the chamber.
  3. C
    Both sound waves and radio waves cease to propagate completely once a vacuum is achieved.
  4. D
    Both sound waves and radio waves propagate faster as the density of the air medium decreases.

Answer

Sound waves cease to propagate because they are mechanical waves requiring a physical medium, whereas radio waves continue to propagate because they are electromagnetic waves capable of traveling through a vacuum.
Sound waves are mechanical waves that rely on the vibration of medium particles (such as air molecules) to propagate energy. In contrast, radio waves are electromagnetic waves composed of mutually perpendicular oscillating electric and magnetic fields, allowing them to propagate efficiently through both matter and vacuum. Thus, evacuating air stops sound transmission while radio transmission continues.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Classify the wave types produced by the generator
Sound waves are mechanical waves (longitudinal), while radio waves are electromagnetic waves (transverse).
Wave propagation mechanisms depend fundamental on whether a wave is mechanical or electromagnetic.
2
Determine medium requirements for each wave class
Mechanical waves require elastic material particles to transfer vibrational energy; electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields which travel without a physical medium.
In a vacuum, particle density approaches zero, preventing mechanical wave transmission.
3
Evaluate the effect of evacuating the glass chamber
As air is removed, sound wave propagation dies out, whereas radio wave propagation remains unimpeded.
The absence of matter blocks sound propagation while permitting electromagnetic wave transmission.

Key Concept

Classification of Waves by Medium Requirement (Mechanical vs. Electromagnetic Waves)
Rate this question

Topics

Production, Propagation, and Classification of Waves

More questions from this topic