answersLogoWhite

0

Can mechanical waves propagate in a vacuum?

Updated: 8/21/2019
User Avatar

Wiki User

6y ago

Want this question answered?

Be notified when an answer is posted

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Can mechanical waves propagate in a vacuum?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Does mechanical waves travel faster through vacuum than through air?

Mechanical waves are waves that need medium to propagate so they don`t travel through vacuum but through solid , liquid or gas.


What wave can not propagate in vacuum?

Sound waves cannot propagate in vacuum. Air is needed for sound waves to travel and there is no air in vacuum.


Is Sound is able to travel in a vacuum?

Sound being a longitudinal mechanical wave needs a medium to propagate. In a vacuum (like the outer space), there is no matter to act as the medium and thus sound waves can not propagate.


Why is sound not able to travel in a vacuum?

Sound being a longitudinal mechanical wave needs a medium to propagate. In a vacuum (like the outer space), there is no matter to act as the medium and thus sound waves can not propagate.


Is a water wave a electromagnetic?

No, eletromagnetic waves propagate in two planes (eletro-magnetic) and can propagate in a vacuum. Water waves, on the other hand, are dependant on matter to transfer energy, making it a mechanical wave, not an eletromagnetic one.


What kind of waves are mechanical?

Those waves which required medium for propagation are called mechanical waves. e.g sound waves,they need medium i.e solid liquid or gas ,to propagate. They cant travel through vacuum. hope u understand that!!


Is a water wave an electromagnetic wave?

No, eletromagnetic waves propagate in two planes (eletro-magnetic) and can propagate in a vacuum. Water waves, on the other hand, are dependant on matter to transfer energy, making it a mechanical wave, not an eletromagnetic one.


Can mechanical waves pass though a vacuum?

Mechanical waves can't pass through a vacuum. Mechanical waves need something to pass through. Space is generally considered a vacuum, with nothing in it to transmit a mechanical wave.


What do light waves propagate through?

Light waves propagate best through vacuum, or "nothing." Light waves also propagate at slower speeds through denser materials, such as air, glass, and clear water.


How are mechanical and electromagetic waves different?

Here are some differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.Mechanical waves can be either transverse or longitudinal. Electromagnetic waves are only transverse waves.Mechanical waves require a material medium to propagate. Thy can only travel in solids, liquids and gases. Electromagnetic waves do not require any medium. They can travel in vacuum also.Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light. Mechanical waves travel at much slower speeds.Mechanical waves propagate by the vibration of molecules of the medium. Electromagnetic waves travel by the oscillations of the electrical and magnetic vectors of a photon.


Where can sound waves not go?

Sound waves do not propagate in a vacuum, since they are basically vibrations (compressions and rarefactions) in a medium, and in a vacuum there is no matter to vibrate.


What type of wave happens in a medium?

The waves that propagate through particles of a medium are mechanical waves (aka waves of vibration).