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Sound waves need a physical material to carry them,

but electromagnetic waves don't.

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Do electromagnetic waves travel through empty space?

Yes, electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space. This is because they do not require a medium to propagate, unlike sound waves which need a medium (such as air) to travel through. Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, allowing them to move through space.


Why can radio waves travel through space but sound waves can not?

Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic wave that do not require a medium to travel through, allowing them to propagate through the vacuum of space. In contrast, sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium, such as air or water, to transfer energy and vibrations. Space is a vacuum, lacking the necessary medium, which is why sound waves cannot travel through it.


What type of wave can't travel through empty space?

Mechanical waves, such as sound waves, require a medium (such as air, water, or a solid) to travel through and cannot travel through empty space. Electromagnetic waves, such as light waves, can travel through empty space because they do not require a medium.


A wave that can travel through empty space?

Electromagnetic radiation, such as light, infra-red, UV, X rays.


Why is it that light can travel to Earth from a distant star but sound cannot?

Light can travel through the vacuum of space because it is an electromagnetic wave that does not require a medium to propagate. Sound, on the other hand, is a mechanical wave that requires a medium, like air, water, or solids, to travel through. Since space is a vacuum, there is no medium for sound waves to travel through from a distant star to Earth.

Related Questions

Do electromagnetic waves travel through empty space?

Yes, electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space. This is because they do not require a medium to propagate, unlike sound waves which need a medium (such as air) to travel through. Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, allowing them to move through space.


Why can radio waves travel through space but sound waves can not?

Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic wave that do not require a medium to travel through, allowing them to propagate through the vacuum of space. In contrast, sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium, such as air or water, to transfer energy and vibrations. Space is a vacuum, lacking the necessary medium, which is why sound waves cannot travel through it.


How are sound and waves different from electromagnetic waves?

they are different because these waves can travel through empty space


What type of wave can't travel through empty space?

Mechanical waves, such as sound waves, require a medium (such as air, water, or a solid) to travel through and cannot travel through empty space. Electromagnetic waves, such as light waves, can travel through empty space because they do not require a medium.


A wave that can travel through empty space?

Electromagnetic radiation, such as light, infra-red, UV, X rays.


How are electromagnetic (or light) waves different from water and sound waves?

Light waves and electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space. Water waves can only travel through matter. Hope this helped!


Why is it that light can travel to Earth from a distant star but sound cannot?

Light can travel through the vacuum of space because it is an electromagnetic wave that does not require a medium to propagate. Sound, on the other hand, is a mechanical wave that requires a medium, like air, water, or solids, to travel through. Since space is a vacuum, there is no medium for sound waves to travel through from a distant star to Earth.


What type of wave can't travel through space?

Mechanical waves cannot travel through space because they require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate. Examples of mechanical waves include sound waves and water waves. Electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, can travel through space as they do not require a medium.


Which are not able to travel through empty space?

Sound waves and mechanical waves (such as seismic waves) are not able to travel through empty space because they require a medium, like air or water, to travel through. Electromagnetic waves, like light, X-rays, and radio waves, can travel through empty space because they do not need a medium to propagate.


Does waves need a medium to travel through?

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


Why can light travel through space from the sun to the earth but sound cannot travel through space?

Light can travel through space because it is made up of electromagnetic waves that do not require a medium to propagate. Sound, on the other hand, is a mechanical wave that needs a medium, such as air, water, or a solid, to travel through. Since space is a vacuum with no medium, sound cannot travel through it.


Sound is not part of the electromagnetic spectrum because?

because sound waves are not a electromagnetic waves because they need a medium for travel....hence electromagnetic spectrum is based on the electromagnetic waves ..like radio waves , micro waves , etc....