Question

Which of these is one way that mechanical waves differ from electromagnetic waves?

Question 4 options:

Mechanical waves require energy and electromagnetic waves do not.


Mechanical waves require a medium and electromagnetic waves do not.


Electromagnetic waves require a medium and mechanical waves do not.


Mechanical waves transmit matter and electromagnetic waves transmit energy.

Answer 1

Mechanical waves require a medium
and electromagnetic waves do not.

Answer 2

Answer: The correct statement is mechanical waves require a medium and electromagnetic waves do not.

Explanation:

Electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves differ in the way of propagation.

Electromagnetic waves are the waves which does not require a medium to  travel through. These waves can travel through vacuum. These waves have electrical and magnetic component associated with them. Light waves are a type of electromagnetic waves.

Mechanical waves are the waves that require a medium to travel through. They transport energy from one location to the other with the help of particles present in the medium. These waves travel faster in solids because the particles lie closer to each other. Sound waves are a type of mechanical waves.

Hence, the correct statement is mechanical waves require a medium and electromagnetic waves do not.