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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.
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∙ 7y ago
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What do mechanical waves need to propagate?
Mechanical waves badly need a material medium to get propagated. For example sound waves need air, water or solid medium to pass through. But light though it is a wave, it could pass through even through vacuum. Hence it is not a mechanical wave. But it is proved to be an electromagnetic wave. Present science has accepted even free space ie vacuum to be a medium but it is non-material medium.
Which distinguishes electromagntic waves from mechanical waves?
Electro magnetic waves can pass through medium of free space ie vacuum but mechanical waves cannot do so. Mechanical waves such as sound definitely needs a material medium air, water etc. But light being electro magnetic could pass through even vacuum. Actually in between the sun and earth there is vacuum. Yet we receive light right from Sun towards earth.
What waves can pass through a vacuum?
Electromagnetic weaves can pass through a vacuum.
Can sound energy pass through an empty space?
Never. Sound propagates as longitudinal waves which are a kind of mechanical waves. These waves require a medium for them to pass. The medium can be either solid, liquid or gaseous. Thus, in empty space i.e. vacuum, sound can never pass.
What kind of waves can pass through a vacuum?
Electromagnetic waves
Can mechanical waves pass thorough vacuum?
no
What do mechanical waves need to propagate?
Mechanical waves badly need a material medium to get propagated. For example sound waves need air, water or solid medium to pass through. But light though it is a wave, it could pass through even through vacuum. Hence it is not a mechanical wave. But it is proved to be an electromagnetic wave. Present science has accepted even free space ie vacuum to be a medium but it is non-material medium.
Which distinguishes electromagntic waves from mechanical waves?
Electro magnetic waves can pass through medium of free space ie vacuum but mechanical waves cannot do so. Mechanical waves such as sound definitely needs a material medium air, water etc. But light being electro magnetic could pass through even vacuum. Actually in between the sun and earth there is vacuum. Yet we receive light right from Sun towards earth.
What waves can pass through a vacuum?
Electromagnetic weaves can pass through a vacuum.
Can sound energy pass through an empty space?
Never. Sound propagates as longitudinal waves which are a kind of mechanical waves. These waves require a medium for them to pass. The medium can be either solid, liquid or gaseous. Thus, in empty space i.e. vacuum, sound can never pass.
What kind of waves can pass through a vacuum?
Electromagnetic waves
Is visible a longitudinal or transverse?
Yes I guess the question is related to the visible light. The visible light is transverse in nature. One more important point is that the light waves are not mechanical waves. Mecahnical waves do need a material medium to get traversed. Sound waves are mechanical waves. But light being non mechanical and being electromagnetic it can pass even through vacuum.
Can radio waves pass through a vacuum?
Long answer: Radio waves, like all EM radiation, can pass through a vacuum. Short answer: Yes.
What Waves in a light wave?
Light wave being visible is not a mechanical wave. It means that it does not need a material medium to be propagated. Even through vacuum it can traverse. Whereas sound waves are mechanical waves. So without a material medium no propagation is possible. So sound cannot pass through vacuum. Being a non mechanical wave light wave is an electro magnetic wave. It is transverse in nature.
What three ways can differ electromagnetic waves from sound waves?
Electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature where as sound waves are longitudinal. Electromagnetic waves can pass even through vacuum but sound waves are mechanical waves that means it needs badly a material medium Sound waves can be sensed by ear where as electromagnetic waves are sensed by eyes.
How are em waves different from mechanical waves?
mechanical waves need a medium to travel through, electromagnetic waves do not. Electromagnetic waves can travel through space, mechanical waves can not.:PElectromagnetic waves do not require a medium, but mechanical waves do.
Why ultrasound pass through solids?
For the same reason that regular sound passes through solids. A sound is just a vibration, or jolt, that's passed on from one atom (or group of atoms) to the next; so wherever there is some matter, sound can be transported.
