How are electromagnetic waves are different than mechanical waves?

Select all that apply.

AElectromagnetic waves are self-propagating and mechanical waves are not.
BElectromagnetic waves require a medium to travel and mechanical waves do not.
CElectromagnetic waves do not require a medium and mechanical waves do require a medium to travel.
DElectromagnetic waves are always transversal, while mechanical waves can be transverse, longitudinal, or torsional.

Option B is the correct answer. Electromagnetic waves don't need any medium for propagation. They can travel even in vacuum.
On the other hand, mechanical waves need medium. For example, sound waves cannot travel in vacuum.
Hope this helps.

Answer Link

RenatoMattice RenatoMattice · Answer 2 · 2019-06-14T12:36:13-04:00

Answer: Option 'A', 'C', and 'D' are correct.

Explanation:

The most important difference between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves is :

Mechanical waves needs medium of material for their propagation whereas electromagnetic waves do not need any medium for their propagation.

Like sound waves needs medium to travel so it is considered as mechanical waves.

So, electromagnetic waves are self propagating whereas mechanical waves do not.

Electromagnetic waves travel as transverse wave whereas mechanical waves can be longitudinal and transverse or torsional.

Hence , option 'C' , 'A' and 'D' are correct.