Characteristics of mechanical waves?
they can be transverse
they can be longitudinal
they can propagate in a vacuum
they can propagate in a physical medium
they are composed of high energy particles
they transfer energy from particle to particle
Mechanical waves are waves that require a medium to propagate.
They can be transverse waves, where the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Examples of transverse waves include water waves and electromagnetic waves.
They can also be longitudinal waves, where the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Examples of longitudinal waves include sound waves and compression waves in springs.
Mechanical waves cannot propagate in a vacuum as they require a physical medium for transmission. They can, however, propagate in various physical mediums such as water, air, and solids.
Mechanical waves are not composed of high-energy particles. The energy of a wave is carried by the disturbance or oscillation of the particles in the medium. The individual particles of the medium oscillate around their equilibrium position, transferring energy from one particle to another.