Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Practice Test

Which type of wave can follow the surface around a curve?

1. Longitudinal wave

2. Shear wave

3. Surface wave

4. Compression wave

The correct answer is: Surface wave

The type of wave that can follow the surface around a curve is the surface wave. Surface waves travel along the boundary of a medium, and they are characterized by their ability to propagate along surfaces or interfaces, particularly where there is curvature in the material. This characteristic makes surface waves particularly useful in various applications, including Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), as they can detect flaws or discontinuities on the surface of materials even when those surfaces are curved. In contrast, longitudinal waves primarily travel through a medium by compressing and rarefying it in the direction of wave propagation and do not inherently follow surfaces around a curve. Shear waves require a specific orientation to propagate and do not travel along the surface in the same manner as surface waves. Compression waves, which is another term often used interchangeably with longitudinal waves, have similar limitations in following curves. Overall, surface waves' unique characteristics regarding movement along surfaces and curves make them the correct choice in this context.