Which one of the following statements about sound is NOT correct?

Sound waves are mechanical waves that propagate through a medium via alternating compressions and rarefactions [1]. In these waves, particle oscillations occur parallel to the direction of wave travel, which defines them as longitudinal waves. Therefore, the statement that sound waves are transverse waves is incorrect, as transverse waves involve particle motion perpendicular to the wave direction, a characteristic of light and electromagnetic waves [1]. Regarding other options, sound travels significantly slower (approx. 340 m/s in air) than light (approx. 300,000,000 m/s) [1]. Additionally, the speed of sound increases with humidity because moist air is less dense than dry air. While temperature is a primary factor for speed in the atmosphere, the physical nature of sound remains strictly longitudinal in fluids like air.

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 5: Earths Magnetic Field (Geomagnetic Field) > Why Do Sound Waves Travel Faster In A Denser Medium Whereas Light Travels Slower? > p. 64