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We can always tell that a wave exists from the way some quantity changes in time and varies along the direction the wave is travelling in. So for a sound wave this quantity is air pressure, for a water wave it's the height of the water etc. For an EM wave it's the strength of the electric or magnetic fields. Whereas for the other two examples the quantity comes about from the existence of a medium (air or water), for an EM wave it is part of the fundamental laws of physics, which just tell us that every point in space has an electric and magnetic field strength associated with it.
What else can I help you with?
Does an em wave require medium such as air or water to travel through?
No, electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to travel through. They can propagate through a vacuum, which is why light from the sun can reach the Earth through the vacuum of space.
All waves need a medium to travel?
No, only surface and mechanical waves need a medium, compressional waves can travel through space. (Such as light from the Sun).I think light (EM) waves are the only ones that can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves require a medium.
How do EM waves travels?
Electromagnetic (EM) waves are self-propagating waves of electric and magnetic fields that travel through space at the speed of light. They do not require a medium to travel through, and can travel through a vacuum. EM waves are produced by the vibrations of charged particles and have both electric and magnetic components perpendicular to each other.
Do electromagnetic waves have to travel through matter?
EM waves travel through space between atoms, but are either; reflected, refracted or absorbed by physical matter when they collide. Gravity can also bend the path of EM wave travel.
Is a EM wave a sound wave?
No, electromagnetic (EM) waves are different from sound waves. EM waves are vibrations of electric and magnetic fields that do not need a medium to travel through, while sound waves are mechanical vibrations that require a medium, such as air or water, to propagate.
Does an em wave require medium such as air or water to travel through?
No, electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to travel through. They can propagate through a vacuum, which is why light from the sun can reach the Earth through the vacuum of space.
How do em waves travel through matter with no medium?
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to travel through space, as evidenced by their ability to propogate in a vacuum. They were originally thought to move in ether, but this has since been disproven.
All waves need a medium to travel?
No, only surface and mechanical waves need a medium, compressional waves can travel through space. (Such as light from the Sun).I think light (EM) waves are the only ones that can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves require a medium.
How do EM waves travels?
Electromagnetic (EM) waves are self-propagating waves of electric and magnetic fields that travel through space at the speed of light. They do not require a medium to travel through, and can travel through a vacuum. EM waves are produced by the vibrations of charged particles and have both electric and magnetic components perpendicular to each other.
Do electromagnetic waves have to travel through matter?
EM waves travel through space between atoms, but are either; reflected, refracted or absorbed by physical matter when they collide. Gravity can also bend the path of EM wave travel.
Is a EM wave a sound wave?
No, electromagnetic (EM) waves are different from sound waves. EM waves are vibrations of electric and magnetic fields that do not need a medium to travel through, while sound waves are mechanical vibrations that require a medium, such as air or water, to propagate.
Can EM waves travel in a vacuum?
Yes, electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum because they do not require a medium for propagation. This is why light from the sun can reach Earth through the vacuum of space.
Do em waves speed up or slow down when they travel through a medium?
EM waves typically slow down when they travel through a medium compared to their speed in a vacuum. This decrease in speed is due to interactions with the atoms and molecules in the medium, which cause the EM waves to be absorbed and re-emitted resulting in a slower overall propagation speed.
What would happen to a EM wave that never came into contact with matter?
If an electromagnetic wave never comes into contact with matter, it would continue to propagate through space at the speed of light. EM waves do not require a medium to travel through, so they will continue moving indefinitely until they encounter an obstacle or are absorbed by a medium.
Why is em radiation the only energy that can travel through space?
Electromagnetic radiation does not require a medium (such as air or water) to propagate, unlike other forms of energy like sound waves. This property allows electromagnetic radiation to travel through the vacuum of space where there is no air or matter. These waves consist of electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other, enabling them to travel through the emptiness of space.
Is sound a type of electromagnetic wave?
No, sound is not a type of electromagnetic wave. Sound is actually a mechanical wave that requires a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel through, while electromagnetic waves like light do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.
A Wave that doesn't need a medium?
light; all waves in the EM(electromagnetic) spectrum, including visible light, do not need a medium to travel in
