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No. Electromagnetic waves travel through vacuum ( ie space where there is nothing)

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14y ago
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14y ago

Nope, all kinds of radiation travels through the vacuum of space.

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14y ago

Some waves called mechanical waves e.g sound need a medium to travel through while electromagnetic waves need no medium to travel through e.g light

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Q: Does waves need a medium to travel through?
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Do seismic waves need a medium to travel through?

Seismic, or earthquake waves travel through the earth. They may travel through our crust, which is rocky, or through the more fluid parts, like the mantle, but the medium is the earth.


What waves can travel through solids and liquids?

Electro-magnetic waves of many kinds travel through certain solids and liquids: radio waves (these are waves of relatively low frequency/high wavelength) can travel through almost anything. Microwaves - shorter wavelength, higher frequency - need particular materials to stop them. Gamma rays (a form of radioactivity) can pass through many solids, and need a very thick layer of a dense metal such as LEAD to stop them. Visible light, which is also a form of electro-magnetic radiation - can (obviously) travel through some liquids and solids; those which are to some extent transparent.Sound waves - which are pressure waves - can also travel through solids and liquids.Generally, the answer to the question varies according to which solids and liquids are being considered; and each of these will permit a different range of waves to pass through them.


Why do seismic waves travel faster through a solid rock than through water?

We are talking about the seisimc waves in an earthquake. The difference in the speed of travel of the two waves has to do with what has to happen to the medium (the ground or the earth) to transmit the energy of the seismic wave. Let's look. The P wave is a longitudinal wave or a compression wave. The force is applied in the direction that the wave is traveling. The ground must move in that direction. Ground or earth is pretty incompressible, so the energy is transferred pretty quickly. In the S wave, the medium is displaced in a transverse (up and down - compared to the line of travel) way, and the medium must shear or "move away" from the material right next to it to cause the shear and transmit the wave. This takes more time, and this is why the S wave moves more slowly than the P wave in seismic events. Need a link to seismic waves? You got it. Wikipedia has a good article, and the pictures are worth the trip over to view them.


Difference between radiation and convection?

Radiation is when heat is transferred from one thing to another via electromagnetic waves like infrared. It can travel through a vacuum. Convection is when a fluid is heated from the bottom and rises, leaving colder fluid behind to be heated etc creating currents. The thing you are trying to heat has to be in contact with the heat source- it doesn't work through a vacuum.


Why can't the suns heat reach us by conduction or convection?

because there is no medium, conduction and convection need medium to spread through, they cannot spread through vacuum.

Related questions

Do radio waves need a medium to travel through?

Radiation doesnt need a medium because it travels through space


Due mechanical waves need a medium to travel through?

Yes, mechanical waves do need a medium in order to travel. Other waves, such as light, do not (thus they can travel through space).


What type of wave requires no medium to travel through?

Waves need not require medium to travel through. Only Mechanical waves like sound waves require medium to travel through. Electromagnetic waves travel in vaccum like light waves. Some waves transmitted in a medium due to disturbances in the medium .


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.


All waves need a medium to travel?

No, only surface and mechanical waves need a medium, compressional waves can travel through space. (Such as light from the Sun).I think light (EM) waves are the only ones that can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves require a medium.


Do ocean waves need a medium to travel through?

no


What can waves travel through?

Sound waves need a medium to travel through - the medium may be solid, liquid, or gaseous. Electromagnetic waves (including light) can also travel through empty space.


What needs a medium substance to travel through?

Mechanical waves need a medium substance to travel through. Electromagnetic do not.


What waves need a medium to travel in?

Mechanical waves need a medium to travel in


What do electromagnetic waves need to travel?

Electromagnetic waves don't need anything to travel. This kind of waves does not need a medium to move through, therefore they can even travel through outer space.


Sound waves do not travel through what?

Sound wave do not travel through vaccum as it need medium to travel.


When a wave travel through a medium?

Mechanical waves such as sound and vibration require a medium in which to travel. Electromagnetic waves such as radio and light need no transmission medium.