Compare and contrast mechanical and electromagnetic waves

The waves are classified into mechanical and electromagnetic waves based on the transmission of their energy through a medium.

Explanation:

Mechanical waves require a medium for the transmission of their energy and they are incapable of traveling through the vacuum. Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium and are capable of transmitting their energy through the vacuum. Mechanical waves are caused by wave amplitude and their propagation depends on the elastic properties of the medium through which they pass. Electromagnetic waves are caused by the varying magnetic and electric fields produced by the vibration of charged particles. They are produced on the sun and travel to Earth through the vacuum. Mechanical waves travel at low speed.  Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in vacuum, but they slow down when coming into contact with matter. Sound waves, water waves, seismic waves, etc are examples of mechanical waves. Visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, radio waves, ultraviolet, x-rays, etc are examples of electromagnetic waves.

The similarities between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves are;  

They both transfer energy. They both can be measured by their wavelength, amplitude, and frequency. They both interact with matter and can be reflected, absorbed, transmitted, diffracted or refracted.

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