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Q: Why are light waves able to travel to space?
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What are not able to travel through empty space ultraviolet waves or sound waves?

Sound waves cannot travel through empty space because they require air particles to transfer them. UV is a light wavelength and can travel through space (just like light from the Sun reaches the planets).


Why are light waves are able to travel through vacuum?

Light "waves" are able to travel through a vacuum because light is only halfway "wavy". Light is actually a collection of particles, known as photons. Photons, because they are particles, are able to travel through a vacuum; unlike waves, they don't need a medium to travel from place to place. If you're interested in what I mean by "halfway wavy" look up the quantum particle-wave duality nature of light on Wikipedia.


Are all waves mechanical waves?

maybe? ----- No, you are forgetting about electromagnetic radiation such as a light, radio, x-rays, and so on that also have wave properties. Mechanical waves are able to travel through matter but electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum.


Does light require a medium to travel through?

No, light doesn't need a physical medium, like air, to travel. As a matter of fact, light travels the fastest it possibly can, 2.98 * 10^8 meters per second, in a vacuum, like space. If light couldn't travel without a medium, then Earth wouldn't receive any light from the Sun.


Do visible light waves require a medium?

No, they don't. If they did, then light couldn't pass through a vacuum. It would be very dark here, because the light from the sun, moon and stars could not reach Earth through the vacuum of space.

Related questions

What are not able to travel through empty space ultraviolet waves or sound waves?

Sound waves cannot travel through empty space because they require air particles to transfer them. UV is a light wavelength and can travel through space (just like light from the Sun reaches the planets).


How are light waves and sound waves similar?

light and sound have to be generated from an object! Although light can travel through space with no air, sound can not as it needs something to travel through.You are able to shoot a gun in space and it will not be heard!


How does radiation from the sun travel through space?

Radiations from the sun are able to travel through space because of the heat waves.


Which gases does sound travel through?

Sound can travel as long as there is something for it to travel through. This could be a gas (such as air), a liquid (such as water) or a solid (such as a metal). In outer space there is no air for the sound to travel though, so astronauts can not talk with each other unless they use a radio. Radio waves and light waves can travel through space, that is why we are able to receive light from the sun. Source: www.examville.com


Does the wave nature of light states that light needs a medium through which to travel in different waves?

Light been found as electromagnetic wave does not need any material medium to get propagated. Even in free space (vacuum) it is able to travel.


Physicists have recently announced that they were able to slow down light waves until the light waves were almost frozen in space?

Yes, that is true.


Why are light waves are able to travel through vacuum?

Light "waves" are able to travel through a vacuum because light is only halfway "wavy". Light is actually a collection of particles, known as photons. Photons, because they are particles, are able to travel through a vacuum; unlike waves, they don't need a medium to travel from place to place. If you're interested in what I mean by "halfway wavy" look up the quantum particle-wave duality nature of light on Wikipedia.


Can television waves travel in space?

Yes. That's how we are able to see live the astronauts and cosmonauts at work in the Space Station.


Are all waves mechanical waves?

maybe? ----- No, you are forgetting about electromagnetic radiation such as a light, radio, x-rays, and so on that also have wave properties. Mechanical waves are able to travel through matter but electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum.


Does light require a medium to travel through?

No, light doesn't need a physical medium, like air, to travel. As a matter of fact, light travels the fastest it possibly can, 2.98 * 10^8 meters per second, in a vacuum, like space. If light couldn't travel without a medium, then Earth wouldn't receive any light from the Sun.


Do visible light waves require a medium?

No, they don't. If they did, then light couldn't pass through a vacuum. It would be very dark here, because the light from the sun, moon and stars could not reach Earth through the vacuum of space.


What waves don't need medium to travel?

Electromagnetic waves, such as light, radio waves, and X-rays, do not require a medium to travel. These waves are able to propagate through a vacuum. In contrast, mechanical waves, like sound waves, do require a medium, as they rely on the vibration and movement of particles in a substance to transmit energy.