This particular wave is called a transverse wave. TIM: Well, mechanical and electromagnetic waves are different, but they can be measured in many of the same ways. TIM: And why radio waves let us communicate with spacecraft. TIM: That's why light waves from the Sun and stars are able to reach Earth.Īn animation shows the Sun’s rays shining on the earth. TIM: Electromagnetic waves, like light and radio waves, don't need a medium to move through they can travel through completely empty space.Īn image shows the spectrum of electromagnetic waves, from gamma waves to radio waves, including the range of visible light. The slinky molecules move in a wave formation to illustrate Tim's explanation. Just like with a Slinky's rings, a molecule disturbed by a wave will return to its original resting position after it's passed the energy on to its neighbors. Mechanical waves may appear to move matter forward with them, but that's not the case. TIM: When you shake one end of the toy, you can see how the kinetic energy moves from one Slinky molecule to the next. You can think of each ring as an individual molecule.Īn image shows slinky rings split into individual molecules in a horizontal row. TIM: Slinkies are really useful for visualizing how mechanical waves work. TIM: And Slinky waves move through the medium of individual loops.Īn animation shows a Slinky going down a staircase. TIM: Seismic waves travel through the ground, usually after an earthquake.Īn animation shows a neighborhood shaking. TIM: Sound waves can transfer energy through a medium of air, liquid, or solid molecules.Īn animation shows a tuning fork being struck and waves going into the air. TIM: Water waves move energy through the medium of water molecules.Īnimations show ripples and moving water molecules. That energy disperses through the medium in the form of waves, which are basically chains of vibrating molecules.Īn animation shows a rock dropping into a pond. ![]() TIM: Well, a medium is any kind of matter that's disturbed by energy. ![]() Images show the four kinds of mechanical waves as Tim names them. TIM: Ocean waves, seismic waves, sound waves, and Slinky waves are all mechanical waves, because they need a medium to move through. Images show a mechanical wave and an electromagnetic wave. But physicists divide waves into two basic kinds: mechanical and electromagnetic. Well, all waves do the same basic thing: transfer energy from one place to another. TIM: Dear Tim and Moby, Are light waves, sound waves, and ocean waves all the same thing? From, Danny. The toy moves down the steps, away from Moby. Text reads: The Mysteries of Life with Tim and MobyĪ robot, Moby, is playing with a Slinky toy on a staircase.
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