ATI TEAS 7 science review Related

Review ATI TEAS 7 science review related questions and content

Which type of waves require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate?

  • A. Transverse waves
  • B. Longitudinal waves
  • C. Electromagnetic waves
  • D. Surface waves
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Longitudinal waves require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate because the particles in the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave. As a result, they rely on the medium for transmission. Transverse waves, on the contrary, do not need a medium and can travel through a vacuum, making choice A incorrect. Electromagnetic waves, represented by choice C, do not require a medium as they consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can propagate through a vacuum. Surface waves, the option in D, involve a combination of both longitudinal and transverse motion and do require a medium to travel, but longitudinal waves are the ones that strictly depend on a medium for propagation.