|
Mechanical waves:
Sound is said to be a "mechanical wave." These waves are
characterized by physical motion (ie, vibrations) of particles
in the medium. They can only be transmitted through a physical medium,
such as water, earth, tissue, etc. Mechanical waves can NOT travel
through a vacuum.
| Mechanical
Waves |
Electromagnetic
Waves |
| ocean
waves |
radio
waves |
| seismic
waves |
x-rays |
| sound
waves |
light |
Other examples of mechanical waves include
ocean waves and seismic waves.
Electromagnetic
waves are another type. Electromagnetic waves include light, x-rays and
radio waves. They CAN travel through a vacuum.
This is why we see stars on a dark night, for example. |