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Mechanical waves must use matter as a medium, they displace the matter in space. Examples of mechanical waves are sound waves (must go through gas (air) which is matter), ocean waves (must go through liquid (water) which is matter, and earthquakes (must go through solid (earth) which is matter.

Electromagnetic waves do not need matter as a medium and are made of electromagnetic radiation, they cause fluctuations in the magnetic and electric fields that permeate space-time. Examples of electromagnetic waves are radio waves, microwaves, x-rays, and gamma rays (all are part of the electromagnetic spectrum or EMS).

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11y ago
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11y ago

Electromagnetic are pure energy ... they do not need a medium in order to propagate.

Mechanical waves are a change in energy content of (adjacent) molecules.

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Q: Difference between electromagnetic and mechanical waves?
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Related questions

What is one major difference between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves?

Mechanical waves require a medium to travel, where electromagnetic waves do not.


How are electromagnetic wave and mechanical waves different?

The biggest difference is that mechanical waves require a medium to travel through and electromagnetic waves do not.


How mechanical and electromagnetic wave are different?

The biggest difference is that mechanical waves require a medium to travel through and electromagnetic waves do not.


Are the sun's rays mechanical waves or electromagnetic waves?

Electromagnetic waves


Are suns rays mechanical waves or electromagnetic waves?

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How is mechanical waves different from other waves?

There are basically two types of waves;mechanical and electromagnetic waves.Mechanical waves are waves that require a material medium for their peopagation e.g sound waves, water waves e.t.c.On the other hand, electromagnetic waves are waves that do not require a material medium for its propagation e.g light waves, gamma rays.As indicated from the above definitions, the main difference between mechanical waves and other waves(electromagnetic waves) is is that sound waves require a material for its propagation while the latter does not.


Are light waves electromagnetic or mechanical?

light waves are electromagnetic


What is difference between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves?

Mechanical Waves:1.Mechanical waves need a material medium for their propagation.2.These waves are produced due to the vibrations of the particles of the medium.3.They have low speed.Electromagnetic Waves:1.Electromagnetic waves do not need any material medium for their propagation.2.They are caused due to change in electric and magnetic fields.3.They have high speed.


Are tsunami waves electromagnetic?

No, they are mechanical waves.


What do waves carry as they move?

mechanical waves carry mechanical energy and electromagnetic waves carry electromagnetic energy.


What is non mechanical wave?

Non mechanical waves are Eletro magnetic waves. We can devide 2 waves. 1 is mechanical waves & 2 is electromagnetic waves. For example Sound is a mechanical wave & Light is an electromagnetic wave.


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.