Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves

Mr. Anderson explains the differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves. He uses examples like explosions on the Moon to illustrate electromagnetic waves, which can travel through space without a medium. Mechanical waves, such as sound and seismic waves, require a medium to propagate. The video also discusses how seismic waves from an earthquake were tracked using Twitter, highlighting the use of electromagnetic waves for communication. The video concludes with a comparison of sound and electromagnetic waves, emphasizing their distinct properties.

What is a key difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?

• Mechanical waves can travel through a vacuum.

• Electromagnetic waves require a medium to travel.

• Mechanical waves require a medium to travel.

• Electromagnetic waves cannot travel through space.

What is an example of electromagnetic waves that can be observed from the Moon?

• Seismic waves

• Sound waves

• Light flashes

• Ocean waves

Which of the following is an example of a mechanical wave?

• Radio

• Sound

• X-ray

• Light

How do mechanical waves transfer energy?

• Through gravitational fields

• Through a medium

• Through electromagnetic fields

• Through a vacuum

How did the US Geological Service use Twitter in relation to seismic waves?

• To send alerts about upcoming earthquakes.

• To track the spread of seismic waves through tweets.

• To predict earthquakes before they happen.

• To measure the intensity of earthquakes.

What happens when you hit a bass drum in terms of wave propagation?

• It creates transverse waves.

• It creates electromagnetic waves.

• It creates longitudinal waves.

• It creates surface waves.

What is the role of air molecules in sound wave propagation?

• They amplify the sound.

• They absorb the sound.

• They reflect the sound.

• They vibrate to transfer sound energy.

What is a characteristic of electromagnetic waves?

• They are slower than mechanical waves.

• They can travel through a vacuum.

• They cannot travel through a vacuum.

• They require a medium to travel.

What would happen to sound waves in a vacuum?

• They would increase in frequency.

• They would become electromagnetic waves.

• They would travel faster.

• They would not be produced.

What happens to electromagnetic waves when air is removed from a vacuum pump?

• They stop being visible.

• They increase in speed.

• They continue to be visible.

• They become sound waves.