Transverse string waves produce sound via longitudinal air waves

Steps:

• Pluck the string: it vibrates up and down, creating transverse waves where particles move perpendicular to wave direction.
• String vibration disturbs nearby air molecules, pushing them parallel to propagation, forming compressions and rarefactions.
• These air disturbances propagate as sound waves, which are longitudinal by definition.
• Thus, transverse waves on the string generate longitudinal waves in the air.

Why C is correct:

• Sound waves in air are longitudinal, as air particles oscillate parallel to the wave direction, per the definition of longitudinal waves.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: String waves are transverse, not longitudinal, since string particles move perpendicular to the string's length.
• B: String waves are transverse, not longitudinal.
• D: Air waves (sound) are longitudinal, not transverse, as air doesn't support shear forces for perpendicular motion.

Final answer: C