Question
How are electromagnetic waves different from mechanical waves?
Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space; mechanical waves can not
Electromagnetic waves need a medium to travel through; mechanical waves do not
Electromagnetic waves can travel through water; mechanical waves can only travel through solid matter
Electromagnetic waves are long chains of vibrating molecules; mechanical waves are not.
Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space; mechanical waves can not
Electromagnetic waves need a medium to travel through; mechanical waves do not
Electromagnetic waves can travel through water; mechanical waves can only travel through solid matter
Electromagnetic waves are long chains of vibrating molecules; mechanical waves are not.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
Electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves differ primarily in how they propagate and the medium through which they travel. The correct statement regarding their differences is:
**Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space; mechanical waves cannot.**
Here's a brief explanation of both types of waves:
- **Electromagnetic waves** (such as light, radio waves, and X-rays) do not require a medium to travel. They can propagate through a vacuum (empty space) as they involve oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
- **Mechanical waves** (such as sound waves and ocean waves) require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel. They propagate through the vibration of particles in that medium.
The other statements provided are incorrect:
- Electromagnetic waves do not need a medium, while mechanical waves do.
- Mechanical waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, not just solid matter.
- Electromagnetic waves are not chains of vibrating molecules; they consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, while mechanical waves do involve the vibration of particles within a medium.
**Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space; mechanical waves cannot.**
Here's a brief explanation of both types of waves:
- **Electromagnetic waves** (such as light, radio waves, and X-rays) do not require a medium to travel. They can propagate through a vacuum (empty space) as they involve oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
- **Mechanical waves** (such as sound waves and ocean waves) require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel. They propagate through the vibration of particles in that medium.
The other statements provided are incorrect:
- Electromagnetic waves do not need a medium, while mechanical waves do.
- Mechanical waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, not just solid matter.
- Electromagnetic waves are not chains of vibrating molecules; they consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, while mechanical waves do involve the vibration of particles within a medium.