Question

a tuning fork is vibrating the air around it. what best describes the waves produced by the tuning fork?
mechanical, because the air molecules are moving perpendicular to the tuning fork
mechanical, because the vibrating tuning fork makes air molecules around it vibrate
electromagnetic, because the air molecules are moving parallel to the tuning fork
electromagnetic, because the vibrating tuning fork does not need air in order to produce sound

Explanation:

Sound waves are mechanical waves. Mechanical waves require a medium (here, air molecules) to travel. The tuning fork's vibration causes the adjacent air molecules to vibrate, transferring energy as a sound wave. Electromagnetic waves (like light) don't need a medium. Also, in sound waves (longitudinal waves), air molecules move parallel (not perpendicular) to the direction of wave propagation. Option A has incorrect molecule - motion description. Options C and D wrongly classify the wave as electromagnetic.

Answer:

B. mechanical, because the vibrating tuning fork makes air molecules around it vibrate