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Electromagnetic waves propagate electromagnetic fields, which consist of electric and magnetic components oscillating perpendicular to each other. These waves transport energy and information through the interaction of these fields and can travel through a vacuum at the speed of light.
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Do transverse waves require a medium to propagate?
No, transverse waves do not require a medium to propagate.
Why aren't electromagnetic waves mechanical waves?
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium (such as air or water) to propagate, unlike mechanical waves which need a medium for transmission. Instead, electromagnetic waves are disturbances in the electromagnetic field that travel through a vacuum at the speed of light. Their behavior is governed by Maxwell's equations and the laws of electromagnetism, making them fundamentally different from mechanical waves.
What are 2 types of waves?
Two types of waves are mechanical waves, which require a medium to propagate (e.g. sound waves), and electromagnetic waves, which can propagate through vacuum (e.g. light waves).
What wave that need a medium in order to propagate?
Mechanical waves, such as sound waves and water waves, require a medium in order to propagate. These waves travel by transferring energy from one part of the medium to another. Electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, can propagate through a vacuum as they do not require a medium.
What wave can not propagate in vacuum?
Sound waves cannot propagate in vacuum because they require a medium to travel through such as air, water, or solids. Sound waves propagate through the vibration of particles in the medium, so without a medium to carry the vibrations, sound waves cannot travel in vacuum.
