Which of the following optical phenomena demonstrates unequivocally that light is a transverse wave rather than a longitudinal wave?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Polarization of light
- Step 1: Longitudinal waves (such as sound waves in air) oscillate strictly parallel to the direction of propagation and possess complete azimuthal rotational symmetry.
- Step 2: Transverse waves oscillate in planes perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, breaking rotational symmetry and allowing the electric field vector to be confined to a single plane.
- Step 3: Since only transverse waves can be polarized, polarization proves conclusively that light is a transverse electromagnetic wave.
Answer
Polarization of light.
Why not the others: Interference occurs in all wave types including longitudinal sound waves; Diffraction is exhibited by all wave motions including acoustic waves; Refraction is common to all waves entering a medium of differing speed.
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