How do mechanical waves compare with electromagnetic waves?

Main Difference Between Mechanical and Electromagnetic waves

A wave is composed of some kind of disturbance that propagates. We can classify waves into many different types based on their properties. One of the properties of the waves depends on whether they need a medium to propagate or not. The primary difference between electromagnetic and mechanical waves is also based on this property. Mechanical waves need a medium, while electromagnetic waves do not need a medium to propagate. Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum. The other differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves are given below:

Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, that is an empty space, whereas mechanical waves cannot. They need a medium to travel such as water or air. Ripples in a pond are an example of mechanical waves whereas electromagnetic waves include light and radio signals, which can travel through the vacuum of space.

Mechanical waves can be classed as elastic waves because their transmission depends on the medium's (water, air etc.) elastic properties.

Electromagnetic waves are caused because of the varying magnetic and electric fields. They are produced by the vibration of the charged particles.

Because of these differences, the speed of each type of wave varies significantly. Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light but mechanical waves are far slower.

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