0
Why does electromagnetic radiation need a medium through which to travel?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
No medium is necessary for the propagation of electromagnetic radiation. This radiation is a moving wave that has an electric component and a magnetic component, and it is self sustaining after its creation. The actual energy of the wave is carried in the two moving fields of force, and not in the medium through which it is traveling. The wave travels out from its point of origin through even a vacuum. Any other medium will tend to absorb some of the energy of the wave. More information can be found be using the links below to related questions, and also the links to the related Wikipedia post on just this subject.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Do radio waves need a medium to travel through?
Radiation doesnt need a medium because it travels through space
How does electromagnetic radiation behave?
Electromagnetic radiation can behave either as a wave or a particle. A wave particle is duality. Electromagnetic energy results from acceleration of a charge EM radiation can travel through a medium or vacuum.
Why can electromagnetic radiation travel through empty space?
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium, so they can transfer through a vacuum, or empty space.
what vcan travel with or without a medium?
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can travel through a vacuum, or a space with no air, meaning it does not require a medium to travel through. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation, like radio waves, microwaves, and x-rays, can also travel through a vacuum. Sound, on the other hand, is a form of mechanical wave which requires a medium to travel. This medium can be a solid, liquid, or gas, and is the way sound travels from one place to another. For example, when someone speaks, the sound waves travel through the air and reach our ears. In summary, light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation can travel with or without a medium, while sound requires a medium to travel.
What is a mechanism that heat transfer does not need a medium to travel through?
Radiant heat (electromagnetic waves) does not require a medium. Sunlight, infrared light, microwaves are all radiant heat in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
What type of wave does not need a medium to travel through?
It is electromagnetic radiation that needs no medium to travel in. Gamma rays, light and radio waves, all forms of electromagnetic radiation, can travel through the vacuum of space very well. In fact, they prefer it.
Why is radiation called electromagnetic?
Radiation does not have to travel through a medium and travels in the form of changing magnetic and electrical fields.
Do radio waves need a medium to travel through?
Radiation doesnt need a medium because it travels through space
Example of electromagnetic radiation?
Light is an example of electromagnetic radiation. EM radiation unlike other waves of energy doesn't need a medium to travel through hence why light energy can travel from the sun to the earth through the vacuum of space.
How does electromagnetic radiation behave?
Electromagnetic radiation can behave either as a wave or a particle. A wave particle is duality. Electromagnetic energy results from acceleration of a charge EM radiation can travel through a medium or vacuum.
Why can electromagnetic radiation travel through empty space?
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium, so they can transfer through a vacuum, or empty space.
what vcan travel with or without a medium?
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can travel through a vacuum, or a space with no air, meaning it does not require a medium to travel through. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation, like radio waves, microwaves, and x-rays, can also travel through a vacuum. Sound, on the other hand, is a form of mechanical wave which requires a medium to travel. This medium can be a solid, liquid, or gas, and is the way sound travels from one place to another. For example, when someone speaks, the sound waves travel through the air and reach our ears. In summary, light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation can travel with or without a medium, while sound requires a medium to travel.
Does waves need a medium to travel through?
No. Electromagnetic waves travel through vacuum ( ie space where there is nothing)
What type of wave can transfer energy without medium?
the wave which does not travel through a medium is called electromagnetic wave.
What is a mechanism that heat transfer does not need a medium to travel through?
Radiant heat (electromagnetic waves) does not require a medium. Sunlight, infrared light, microwaves are all radiant heat in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
Do visible light and x-rays travel through different medians?
Visible light and x-rays are both forms of electromagnetic radiation, and do not require a medium to travel through.
How does radiation travel?
The radiations are electromagnetic waves ,they don't require any medium for their travel.
