Question

​why do strings of sitar produce both longitudinal and transverse wave

Answer 1

a sitar string vibrates, it sets surrounding air molecules into vibrational motion. The frequency at which these air molecules vibrate is equal to the frequency of vibration of the sitar string. The back and forth vibrations of the surrounding air molecules creates a pressure wave which travels outward from its source. This pressure wave consists of compressions and rarefactions,as in longitudinal wave. A careful inspection of the particles of the medium,reveals that the particles of the medium are displaced rightward and then move back leftward to their original position. There is no net displacement of the air molecules. The molecules of air are only temporarily disturbed from their rest position; they always return to their original position, as in transverse wave. so it can be depicted that strings of sitar produce both longitudinal and transverse wave.