Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

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Which of the following is true of a sound wave?

It is a transverse wave
It is a mechanical wave
It is a type of electromagnetic wave
It travels faster than light

The correct answer is: It is a mechanical wave

A sound wave is classified as a mechanical wave because it requires a medium, such as air, water, or solids, to propagate. Mechanical waves result from the vibration of particles in the medium, transmitting energy through these vibrations. As sound waves travel, they compress and rarefy the particles in the medium, which is a characteristic behavior of mechanical waves. In contrast, electromagnetic waves do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum, such as light waves. Additionally, sound waves are longitudinal waves, as opposed to transverse waves, which move the medium's particles at right angles to the direction of the wave. Lastly, sound waves travel much slower than light waves, which is why sound is unable to reach an observer faster than the speed of light.