What type of wave is a electromagnetic wave?

Answer 1

In the most basic sense, both kinetic and potential energy are usually transported in waves.

In any material thing that is vibrating, there is motion of mater and hence kinetic energy. But, just as there is kinetic energy in a swing or pendulum, there is an periodic exchange of energy between potential and kinetic. All waves associated with material vibrations have both.

The potential energy in longitudinal waves is almost always elastic energy.

Almost all examples of longitudinal waves are compression waves.

Compression means that the oscillations of matter in the medium are variations in density, or alternatively we can say these are periodic surfaces of compression and rarefaction.

Such is the case for sound in air or any gas or other fluid.

When the medium is a fluid, then the fluid is compressed and rarefied in a manner that varies periodically in space and time.

The other example is the case for sound in a solid. When the medium is a solid, then the solid is compressed and rarefied in a manner that varies periodically in space and time.

It is typical call the potential energy stored by compressing a fluid as compression energy and it is typical to call the potential energy stored by compressing a solid elastic energy. Really, they are the same.

Elastic energy is just the sort of potential energy you get when compressing a spring. The medium opposes compression storing potential energy and exerts a force to return the medium thereby moving the medium in the direction of force and hence doing work. The work creates kinetic energy of matter in a material wave.

Caveat: In the above, discussing energy as a result of compression assumes that the compression is relatively mild and does not change the basic structure of the material, i.e. it doesn't break if it is a solid and it does not change chemically due to compression.

End Note: There are other elastic properties than compression and these include shear and bend. There are waves associated with shear and bend and those waves also store elastic potential energy.

Answer 2

The most common type of wave that we think of as a transverse wave is a water wave. The water is moving up and down, which is to say that the water is moving in a transverse way compared to the path of travel of the wave. We often think of this type of wave because we can actually see it. Light and other electromagnetic waves are also transverse waves.

Answer 3

Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. They do not require a medium to travel through and can travel through a vacuum. Electromagnetic waves include radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Answer 4

i don know ... ... ... They are waves of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. A changing electric field induces a magnetic field, and a changing magnetic field induces an electric field.

Answer 5

how its used

Answer 6

That would be an electromagnetic wave.

Answer 7

Radiant Energy