Sound waves are mechanical waves whereas electromagnetic waves are not mechanical waves. Therefore, sound waves require a medium for their propagation whereas electromagnetic waves do not require a medium. This is the main difference between sound waves and electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic waves differ from mechanical waves in that they do not require a medium to propagate. This means that electromagnetic waves can travel not only through air and solid materials, but also through the vacuum of space.
These include sound waves, light waves, radio waves, microwaves and others. All kinds of waves have the same fundamental properties of reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference, and all waves have a wavelength, frequency, speed and amplitude.
What is the relationship between EM waves and mechanical waves?
Radio, microwaves, UV, visible light and gamma rays have completely different effects, but they’re all exactly the same kind of thing: electromagnetic radiation (EMR). They’re just waves of energy travelling through space — or through things.
Electromagnetic waves are waves that have no medium to travel whereas mechanical waves need a medium for its transmission. Electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum whereas mechanical waves do not. While an electromagnetic wave is called just a disturbance, a mechanical wave is considered a periodic disturbance.
What is the difference between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves?
