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Does light propagate around electromagnetic fields in a vacuum?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
It is not very clear what the question means. Light is an electromagnetic field and it can propagate in a vacuum. Propagation of a beam of light is unaffected by any other electromagnetic fields in its path.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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How electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum?
Electromagnetic waves are changes in both the electric and magnetic fields of space, which propagate as a wave. These do not need atoms to propagate - on the contrary, the presence of matter tends to interfere with light, etc.
Do infrared waves travel through a vacuum?
Yes, infrared waves are part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum and all electromagnetic radiation will propagate through a vacuum.
How do heat and light propagate?
In matter heat is the vibration (kinetic energy) of atoms or molecules and propagates in matter by means of conduction and convection.Heat is also radiation and part of the electromagnetic spectrum which includes visible light. Thus heat and light are propagated in a vacuum as radiant energy, synchronized oscillations of electric and magnetic fields that propagate at the speed of light.
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.
Why are sound waves not on the electromagnetic spectrum?
Sound waves are physical vibrations of molecules. Electromagnetic waves are a more complex (and harder to describe) mix of the movement of electrons and magnetic fields. A sound wave requires a medium in which to propagate (air, rock, etc.) while electromagnetic waves do not. That's why you can't hear sounds in a vacuum like outer space, but you can send a radio signal to a satellite.
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.
Why don't electromagnetic waves require any medium to propagate?
Even free space (in olden days named as vacuum) has magnetic and electric properties.
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.
Why do EM waves not require a medium?
Both electrostatic fields and magnetic fields can influence objects in a vacuum, so EM waves (the combination of varying electromagnetic and electrostatic fields) have influence through a vacuum, that is, in the absence of a physical medium.
In a vacuum waves from all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum move?
In a vacuum, electromagnetic waves from all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum can indeed propagate. Unlike mechanical waves, such as sound waves, which require a medium (like air, water, or solids) to travel through, electromagnetic waves do not require a medium and can travel through the vacuum of space. The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses a wide range of frequencies, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. Each type of electromagnetic wave has its own characteristic frequency, wavelength, and energy. In a vacuum, electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (or about 186,282 miles per second) in a vacuum. This speed is constant for all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum, regardless of their frequency or wavelength. Electromagnetic waves can travel through space, transmitting energy and information over vast distances. They play a crucial role in various natural phenomena, such as the transmission of sunlight from the Sun to the Earth, the propagation of radio signals through the atmosphere, and the emission of X-rays and gamma rays from distant astronomical objects. In summary, electromagnetic waves from all parts of the spectrum can travel through a vacuum, allowing them to propagate freely through space without the need for a medium. This property of electromagnetic waves enables them to play essential roles in communication, astronomy, medicine, and many other fields of science and technology.
How are sound waves and eletromagnetic waves different?
Sound waves require a medium such as air, solid, or liquid in order to propagate. Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium for propagation and can move through a vacuum.
Do gama rays travel faster than the speed of light?
Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just as light is, and all EM waves propagate at the speed of light through a vacuum.
