AIIMS 2018 Physics Wave Properties MCQ Question

Water waves in a river are primarily surface waves that exhibit both longitudinal and transverse characteristics; however, they are not polarized because the oscillation of water molecules (H₂O) occurs in a direction perpendicular to the wave propagation, which is a key feature of transverse waves. Polarization is a phenomenon that occurs in transverse waves, such as light waves, where the oscillations can be restricted to a particular direction. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they misinterpret the nature of water waves; polarization is not dependent on the medium or the specific type of wave in this context, but rather on the wave's inherent properties.