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Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to propagate and can travel through a vacuum, whereas mechanical waves require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel through. Electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, while mechanical waves are produced by the vibration of particles in the medium. Electromagnetic waves can travel at the speed of light, while the speed of mechanical waves depends on the properties of the medium.

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What is the main difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves on Jiskha?

The main difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves is how they travel. Mechanical waves require a medium, such as air or water, to propagate, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.


What is the primary difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?

The primary difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves is how they travel. Mechanical waves require a medium, such as air or water, to propagate, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, like in space.


What is the number one difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?

The main difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves is that mechanical waves require a medium (such as air or water) to travel through, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum (empty space) because they do not require a medium.


What is one major difference between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves?

One major difference is the medium of propagation. Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium (can travel through vacuum) while mechanical waves require a medium (such as air, water, or solid material) in order to propagate.


What is the difference between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves?

Mechanical waves require a medium to travel through, such as air or water, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum. Mechanical waves involve the vibration of particles in the medium, while electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.

Related Questions

What is the main difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves on Jiskha?

The main difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves is how they travel. Mechanical waves require a medium, such as air or water, to propagate, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.


How are electromagnetic wave and mechanical waves different?

The biggest difference is that mechanical waves require a medium to travel through and electromagnetic waves do not.


What is the primary difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?

The primary difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves is how they travel. Mechanical waves require a medium, such as air or water, to propagate, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, like in space.


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.


What is the number one difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?

The main difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves is that mechanical waves require a medium (such as air or water) to travel through, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum (empty space) because they do not require a medium.


What is one major difference between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves?

One major difference is the medium of propagation. Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium (can travel through vacuum) while mechanical waves require a medium (such as air, water, or solid material) in order to propagate.


What is the difference between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves?

Mechanical waves require a medium to travel through, such as air or water, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum. Mechanical waves involve the vibration of particles in the medium, while electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.


What are two similarities and one difference between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves?

Two similarities between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves are that both types of waves transfer energy through a medium and can exhibit properties like reflection and refraction. One key difference is that mechanical waves require a medium to propagate, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.


Are suns rays mechanical waves or electromagnetic waves?

Electromagnetic waves


How are electromagnetic waves different from all other waves, specifically mechanical waves?

Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to travel through, unlike mechanical waves which do. Additionally, electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, while mechanical waves cannot.


Which types of these waves is not a mechanical wave?

Examples of mechanical waves are waves in the ocean and sound waves from devices like mouths, trombones, and radios. Electromagnetic waves like sunshine and X-rays are not mechanical waves because matter is not doing the waving.


What do waves carry as they move?

mechanical waves carry mechanical energy and electromagnetic waves carry electromagnetic energy.