a) Can longitudinal wave be polarized? Explain. b) An empty vessel sounds more than a filled one when it is struck. Why?

a) Can longitudinal wave be polarized? Explain.

No, longitudinal waves cannot be polarized. Polarization is the phenomenon in which the oscillations of a wave occur in a specific direction perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. In longitudinal waves, the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation, not perpendicular. Since polarization requires oscillations in a plane perpendicular to the wave’s direction, longitudinal waves lack this property.

b) An empty vessel sounds more than a filled one when it is struck. Why?

An empty vessel sounds louder than a filled one because of the air column inside it. When struck, the vessel vibrates, and the air inside forms a standing wave (resonance). The empty vessel has a larger air column, which has a lower natural frequency (fundamental frequency) and greater amplitude of vibration. This produces a louder sound due to:

• Greater displacement of air molecules (larger volume of air).
• Lower damping (less energy loss compared to a filled vessel).
• Resonance effect (constructive interference of sound waves inside the vessel).