The Importance of Electromagnetic and Mechanical Waves

Electromagnetic waves are waves that are able to transfer energy without using a medium. An example of electromagnetic waves are light waves. The light waves that the Sun produces is able to travel through space an reach space. If electromagnetic waves did not have the ability of travelling through space, there would be no life on this Earth. Not only that but most of the world today is based on technology. Without electromagnetic waves, we wouldn't be able to watch television shows, listen to the radio in our cars, or call/text someone on our cell phones. The radio waves that are sent out to these devices are electromagnetic waves.


Magnetic waves are waves that travel through a medium (matter) in order to transfer energy. An important form of a magnetic wave is a sound wave. Sound waves are vibrations that travel through the air (its medium) and vibrate our eardrums, sending signals to the brain which interpret it as "sounds". Without sound waves, we wouldn't be able to hear anything such as music or lectures.