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All waves move energy, not matter. All waves are created by vibrations. Mechanical waves are caused by vibrating matter such as vocal chords or a drum. EM waves are created by vibrating electrons in atoms that propogate through the electric and magnetic fields that exist everywhere in the universe. All waves can reflect, refract. and diffract. This is where the similarities end. Both types of waves interact with matter and experience a change in velocity but do not interact with each other. Mechanical waves require matter as a medium through which to travel, they don't travel through a vacum. EM waves travel best through a vacum and lose energy as they move into more dense matter. All waves refract when they change velocity as they move from one medium into another, like air into water. Remember, there are some similarities amongst all types of waves, EM, mechanical, surface, and siesmic, but their behaviors are quite varied and complex.

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Both mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves interact with a change in medium or boundary. This interaction can cause reflection, refraction, absorption, and transmission of the waves.

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Q: Both mechanical waves and EM waves interact with a change in what?
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Continue Learning about Physics

What are the similarities between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves?

Both electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves are forms of energy that travel through a medium. They both have properties such as wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. Additionally, both types of waves can be reflected, refracted, diffracted, and interfere with each other.


What do electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves have in common?

Both types of waves are forms of energy that transfer without the transfer of matter. They both involve oscillations or vibrations, but electromagnetic waves do not require a medium for propagation, while mechanical waves do.


What are the similarities between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves?

Mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves both involve the transfer of energy through a medium. They both exhibit properties such as wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. Additionally, both types of waves can be reflected, refracted, diffracted, and interfere with each other.


What two types of energy travel in waves?

Electromagnetic energy and mechanical energy can both travel in waves. Electromagnetic waves include light and radio waves, while mechanical waves include sound waves and ocean waves.


How are water and sound waves alike?

Water waves and sound waves are both forms of mechanical waves that require a medium to travel through. They both involve the transfer of energy without the physical movement of particles. Additionally, they both exhibit characteristics such as frequency, wavelength, and amplitude.