Question

What is the difference between mechanical and non mechanical wave?

Answer 1

Mechanical waves:-

1. The wave which needs the mechanical medium (medium with the properties of inertia and elasticity) to propagate are called Mechanical waves.
2. Sound waves are called Mechanical waves because They need the mechanical medium (medium with the properties of inertia and elasticity) to propagate.
3. Mechanical waves cannot travel through a vacuum.
   Example: sound wave is an example of a mechanical wave.

Electromagnetic or non-mechanical waves:-

1. The wave which does not need the mechanical medium (medium with the properties of inertia and elasticity) to propagate are called Electromagnet waves.
2. Light waves are called Electromagnet waves because They do not need the mechanical medium (medium with the properties of inertia and elasticity) to propagate.
3. Electromagnet waves can travel through a vacuum
   Example: light waves are examples of electromagnetic waves.