Identify each statement as describing electromagnetic waves, mechanical waves, or both types of waves.

Question

The waves can only travel through a physical medium.
The waves can travel through a vacuum and a physical medium.
The frequency of the waves is proportional to their wavelengths.
The waves are formed by the movement of packets of high energy photons.
The waves cause particles to vibrate but they do not move far from equilibrium.

Answer 1

Here is the identification of each statement regarding electromagnetic waves, mechanical waves, or both:

1. The waves can only travel through a physical medium.

   • Mechanical Waves

2. The waves can travel through a vacuum and a physical medium.

   • Electromagnetic Waves

3. The frequency of the waves is proportional to their wavelengths.

   • Both (though the relationship is inversely proportional; as frequency increases, wavelength decreases)

4. The waves are formed by the movement of packets of high energy photons.

   • Electromagnetic Waves

5. The waves cause particles to vibrate but they do not move far from equilibrium.

   • Mechanical Waves