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This had puzzled scientists at the end of the 19th. and the beginning of the 20th. century, so they assumed some kind of "ether", a hypothetical substance that would permeate space and transport these waves.
The current understanding is that no special substance is required; in a way, space itself is the ether. However, it doesn't have exactly the properties expected when the ether theory was popular, and the name "ether" has fallen into disuse. One interesting aspect is that this ether had to have properties of solids - light is a transverse wave, and normally, transverse waves travel only in solids, not in liquids or gases. On the other hand, it had to be very thin-spread, since Earth and other planets travelled through it, without hindrance.
A sound wave requires a medium - an atom (or molecule) will bump into another atom, thus transferring its energy; of course, this requires atoms to be present.
An electromagnetic wave, however, is a disturbance in the electric and magnetic field; and it has long been known that these can exist in empty space. Quite simply, a changing electric field will produce a magnetic field; and a changing magnetic field will produce an electric field - and between the two of them, they propagate at the speed of light.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe "vacuum" contains an impedance z=h/q^2 where h is Planck's Constant and q is the vacuum quantum charge. Maxwellwas correct there is a medium/Ether in which the wave travels.
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What type of wave does not need a medium to travel through?
It is electromagnetic radiation that needs no medium to travel in. Gamma rays, light and radio waves, all forms of electromagnetic radiation, can travel through the vacuum of space very well. In fact, they prefer it.
Name one kind of wave that does not require a medium?
An electromagnetic wave (this includes light) does not require a physical medium - it can travel through empty space.An electromagnetic wave (this includes light) does not require a physical medium - it can travel through empty space.An electromagnetic wave (this includes light) does not require a physical medium - it can travel through empty space.An electromagnetic wave (this includes light) does not require a physical medium - it can travel through empty space.
How can electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum?
Elctromagnetic radiation is a moving "pair" of "waves" in space. One is a magnetic wave and the other is an electric wave, and they move in phase and at right angles to each other. When they are created by a moving charge or charges, the energy of the wave is "bundled" into this pair of waves or fields, and moves away from the source like the ripples across a pond. Except the moving fields do not need anything to "carry" the energy. No medium is required. In contrast, a water wave or a sound wave is mechanical energy, and the source transferred energy into the medium, and the medium must carry it. the electromagnetic wave is sulf sustaining and can move through a complete vacuum. Use the links below to related questions and related articles.
What is the difference between sound waves and electromagetic?
Sound waves requires a medium, electromagnetic waves do not. Sound waves are longitudinal waves, electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. Sound waves Travels at approx. 330m/s in air, electromagnetic waves travel at approx. 3 x 10^8 m/s.
What is transfer of energy through space?
An electromagnetic wave is a oscillation through 2 fields, electrical and magnetic fields of the space the wave is travelling through. These oscillations are at right angles to each other. Electromagnetic waves are carried by miniscule particles of energy called photons, Light itself is one of the forms of electromagnetic waves and all EM waves travel at the speed of light 3x10^8 ms or 300 000 000 metres per second. Photons have 0 mass. Nothing with mass can truly have a higher velocity then the speed of light or EM radiation. As they are carried by photons they need no medium to travel through and can therefore travel through space/a vacuum.
Is it possible for a electromagnetic wave to travel through a vacuum?
yes, they can travel.
What kind of wave can travel through vacuum?
Electromagnetic waves.
Do microwave travel through vacuum?
Yes, any electromagnetic wave can travel through a vacuum.
Is light an example of mechanical wave?
No. Light is an example of an electromagnetic wave, which can travel through a vacuum. Mechanical waves must travel through a medium, and cannot travel through a vacuum.
Is it possible for a electromagnetic wave to travel through a vacuum through matter?
If there's matter then its not a vacuum. But an EM wave can transverse either.
Will a light wave travel through a vacuum?
Yes. Electromagnetic waves (including light as a special case) are, in fact, the only type of wave which will travel through a vacuum.
Does a electromagnetic wave need a medium to travel?
Electromagnetic waves do not need a medium in which to travel. They move "best" through a perfect vacuum.
What is the name of the wave that can travel through vacuum and how does it related to television?
Electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum. Radiowaves, which are used in television signals, are one part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Can electormagnetic waves travel through a vacuum?
Did you ever see light from the Sun? Light is an electromagnetic wave, and it travels through a vacuum to reach us.
It is possible for an electromagnetic wave to travel through a vacuum?
yes, they can travel.
Why does a vacuum and a electromagnetic wave travels the same speed?
A vacuum doesn't travel. All electromagnetic wavestravel at the same speed in vacuum.
What is true about all electromagnetic wave travel?
Lots of things are true; for example:* Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.* Sometimes, but not always, they can also travel through other materials. It depends on the material and on the frequency of the wave.* In a vacuum, they will always travel at the same speed - the so-called speed of light.For more information about electromagnetic wave, I suggest you read some other sources, for instance, the corresponding Wikipedia article.
