Wave transmission in different media

Steps:

• Identify wave types: longitudinal waves involve particle compression/expansion; transverse waves involve perpendicular oscillations.
• Recall media properties: gases transmit only longitudinal waves due to no shear forces; solids transmit both due to rigidity; vacuum allows electromagnetic transverse waves.
• Evaluate options against physics principles of wave propagation.
• Confirm correct statement by eliminating inaccuracies.

Why C is correct:

• Solids have elasticity for longitudinal compression waves and shear modulus for transverse shear waves, per Hooke's law and wave equations.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Gases transmit longitudinal sound waves through molecular collisions.
• B: Longitudinal waves form stationary patterns, as in organ pipes with nodes/antinodes.
• D: Electromagnetic waves, which are transverse, propagate through vacuum at speed c.

Final answer: C