General Science Optics Flash Card Set 732843

Card 3 of 10
Light Waves

Unlike mechanical sound waves that require a physical medium for propagation, light waves are electromagnetic and can travel through empty space. Light waves are also much faster, travelling at 186,000 m/s vs. 343 m/s for sound waves.

electromagnetic

Unlike mechanical sound waves that require a physical medium for propagation, light waves are __________ and can travel through empty space.