Which of the following correctly describes which types of waves travel through which types of mediums?

A) Transverse waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases. Longitudinal waves only travel through

solids

B) Longitudinal waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases, Transverse waves only travel through

solids

C) Transverse waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases, Longitudinal waves only travel through

liquids

D) Longitudinal waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases. Transverse waves only travel through

liquids

Answer: B (Longitudinal waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases, Transverse waves only travel through solids)

Explanation: A longitudinal wave alternately compresses the medium and stretches it out. Solids, liquids and gasses all push back when they are compressed - so they are all able to store energy this way and thus transmit the wave. But, Transverse waves can only go through solids because they have enough shear strength, but liquids and gases don't. (Transverse waves are the transfer of energy in a motion that is perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling. Only solids are able to switch it's motion to travel through the wave.)