Question

What is the difference between electromagnetic and mechanical waves

Answer 1

Electromagnetic waves:

• are waves that have no medium to travel.
• travel in a vacuum whereas mechanical waves do not.
• produced by vibration of the charged particles.
• Examples: light and radio signals.

Mechanical waves:

• needs a medium; transfers energy through a medium.
• caused by wave amplitude - not by frequency.
• Examples: water, air, or anything physical (etc.) for it to travel.