Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c15.17

c15.17

(*c*) Acoustics:
(1) Physical basis of sound: Two theories were held about the vehicle or medium of propagation. Shabara Swami knew it correctly to be the air. But Udyotakara and others knew it to be ether.
(2) Wave-motion: The sound-waves were understood by both schools. But Prashastapada knew them to be transverse; and Udyotakara and Shabara Swami understood the transmission of sound to be of the nature of longitudinal waves.