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Yes, but only EM waves don't.
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∙ 12y ago
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Why do transverse waves not need a medium?
Wrong.Earthquake S-waves are just one example of transverse waves that do need a medium to travel through. Specifically they need a solid medium and cannot not travel through either liquid or gaseous mediums.Perhaps you are confusing transverse waves in general with electromagnetic waves (which happen to be transverse) but do not need a medium because they are a propagating electric field - magnetic field each creating the other in a cycle.
What are the properties of electromagnetic waves?
speedwavelengthfrequencypolarization
Are electromagnetic waves longitudinal or transverse?
light waves or electromagnetic waves are transverse and sound waves are longitudinalElectromagnetic waves can be both transverse and longitudinal waves. Transverse waves are like ocean waves. They move the medium perpendicular to the medium which is the substance the wave is traveling on. Longitudinal waves are like a slinky. They compress and rarefact (The coils get close and move away). Longitudinal waves move the medium parallel to the energy.Electromagnetic waves don't need a medium to travel. They can travel on the medium but they don't need a medium to travel through.Mechanical waves need a medium to travel. They can't travel without one.That is why in starwars when the deathstar blows up and your whole room shakes when it does isn't possible because in space there isn't any air! Sound is a mechanical wave, since there isn't any medium there can't be any sound. If you yell in space nothing would happen because there isn't a medium for the sound waves to travel on. You can see light in space because light is an example of an electromagnetic wave which doesn't need a medium to travel.Cranberryhead. :)
Why are electromagnetic waves sometimes called transverse waves?
Because the theory is that this is what the form is. If it were a longitudinal or compressional form (such as sound) it would need to travel through a medium of some sort to compress the particles of that medium. But electromagnetic radiation can travel even in a vacuum.
What waves need a medium to travel in?
Mechanical waves need a medium to travel in
Does a longitudinal wave need a medium?
It is not so much longitudinal vs. transverse - it is the type of wave. Mechanical waves, by definition, travel through matter. That includes sound waves. Mechanical waves, however, can be both longitudinal and transverse - and both require a medium.
Do radio waves need medium to travel?
light waves do not need a medium. Electromagnetic Waves (EM) do not need a medium. For example visible light, radio waves, microwaves, UV light and x-rays do not. These travel @ 300 million meters/sec in a vacuum.
Waves need matter to travel throgh?
waves such as transverse waves, like moving a rope up and down causing waves, does require a medium but energy in the form of light (its still debatible weather its a particle or wave) doesnt need a medium,like electromagnetic waves
Do radio waves need a medium to travel through?
Radiation doesnt need a medium because it travels through space
How are transverse waves similar to and different from longitudinal waves?
A transverse wave causes particles in matter to move at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels. A compressional wave causes particles in matter to move back and forth alog the same direction in which the wave is traveling.
Does a transverse wave need a physical medium to travel?
yes
What is the only kind of wave that does not need a solid liquid or gas medium to pass through?
Shear / transverse waves do not travel through liquids.
