Q17. Explain in your own words what longitudinal waves are. Include examples. Electromagnetic and Mechanical Waves In the video the string was a medium for our transverse waves and the particles being compressed was the medium for the longitudinal waves. Not all waves require a medium to travel through Electromagnetic Waves may travel (or propagate through a medium, but do not require one they can travel without a medium eg through a vacuum) Lightwaves are electromagnetic waves and therefore do not require a medium to travel Other examples of electromagnetic waves include radio waves, microwaves, and X-Rays Mechanical Waves require a medium to travel through Sound waves are mechanical waves and require a medium to travel through Other examples of mechanical waves are ocean waves and seismic waves generated by earthquakes

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