Mechanical waves require a medium to propagate, such as air or water. They transfer energy through the oscillation of particles in the medium. Mechanical waves can be classified as transverse or longitudinal waves, depending on the direction of particle displacement relative to the direction of wave propagation.
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Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to propagate, while mechanical waves do. Electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, while mechanical waves involve oscillations of particles in a medium. Both types of waves transfer energy and can be characterized by properties such as wavelength and frequency.
maybe? ----- No, you are forgetting about electromagnetic radiation such as a light, radio, x-rays, and so on that also have wave properties. Mechanical waves are able to travel through matter but electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum.
Light waves and mechanical waves differ in their propagation and behavior. Light waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum, while mechanical waves require a medium, such as air or water, to propagate. Light waves also travel at the speed of light, while mechanical waves travel at varying speeds depending on the medium. Additionally, light waves exhibit properties such as interference and diffraction, which are not typically seen in mechanical waves.
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to propagate and can travel through a vacuum, whereas mechanical waves require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel through. Electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, while mechanical waves are produced by the vibration of particles in the medium. Electromagnetic waves can travel at the speed of light, while the speed of mechanical waves depends on the properties of the medium.
When waves travel from one medium to another, they encounter a change in the properties of the medium, such as density or stiffness. This change affects the speed of the waves because different mediums have different propagation speeds for the waves. The speed of the wave is determined by the medium's properties and is a result of the wave interacting with the particles or structure of that specific medium.