Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves

What is the fundamental difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?

• Mechanical waves are always longitudinal, while electromagnetic waves are always transverse.

• Mechanical waves require a medium for propagation, while electromagnetic waves do not.

• Electromagnetic waves carry energy, while mechanical waves carry momentum.

• Mechanical waves travel faster than electromagnetic waves.

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

• Light from distant stars

• Radio signals from a satellite

• Ocean waves

• X-rays used in medical imaging

Which type of wave can travel through the vacuum of space without a medium?

• Sound waves

• Seismic waves

• Ocean waves

• Radio waves

An alarm clock is placed inside a vacuum chamber. As air is gradually removed from the chamber, what would an observer experience?

• The sound of the alarm would become louder, and the light would become brighter.

• The sound of the alarm would diminish, but the light from the alarm would remain visible.

• Both the sound and the light from the alarm would disappear simultaneously.

• The light from the alarm would disappear, but the sound would remain audible.