Question

Which of the following waves can be polarized (i) Heat waves (ii) Sound waves? Give reason to support your answer.

Answer 1

Heat waves can be polarized because heat waves are transverse waves whereas sound waves cannot be polarized because sound waves are longitudinal waves.Transverse waves can oscillate in the direction perpendicular to the direction of its propagation but longitudinal waves like sound waves oscillate only along the direction of its propagation. So, longitudinal waves cannot be polarized.