Ontario Grade 9 Science Class Practice Exam 2025 - Free Grade 9 Science Practice Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

What type of wave does not require a medium to travel?

Sound wave

Electromagnetic wave

Electromagnetic waves are indeed unique in that they do not require a medium to travel. Unlike mechanical waves, which need a material medium such as air, water, or solid substances to propagate, electromagnetic waves can move through the vacuum of space. This allows them to carry energy and information across vast distances without the need for a physical medium. Examples of electromagnetic waves include light, radio waves, microwave radiation, and X-rays.

Understanding that electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space is crucial, especially when considering phenomena such as how sunlight reaches the Earth. This property distinguishes them from sound, mechanical, and longitudinal waves, all of which necessitate a medium for their propagation.

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Mechanical wave

Longitudinal wave

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