Do light waves need a medium to travel Why or why not?

We know that light doesn’t need a medium through which to travel because the speed of light is experimentally constant: independent of the movement of the source or detector or the direction in which it travels. Light contrasts with sound, which travels through the air (or some other material medium).

Does light need material medium for its propagation?

Answer: False: Light needs no medium to travel. Light or any other form of electromagnetic radiation travels by swapping energy back and forth between electric and magnetic fields, and no medium is needed for either.

Why light is not a longitudinal wave?

No, light is a transverse wave, where the electric field and magnetic field are orthogonal to each other and both are orthogonal to the direction of movement. Originally Answered: Can a light wave be a longitudinal wave?

In what medium does light travel?

So how does light travel? Basically, traveling at incredible speeds (299 792 458 m/s) and at different wavelengths, depending on its energy. It also behaves as both a wave and a particle, able to propagate through mediums (like air and water) as well as space.

What is the medium of a light wave?

The medium for most waves is usually apparent. For a string wave, the medium is a string. For sound waves, the medium is air.

How does light propagate in a medium?

Light can travel in three ways from a source to another location: (1) directly from the source through empty space; (2) through various media; and (3) after being reflected from a mirror.

Do you not need any medium?

Answer: Electromagnetic waves ( e.g. light) do not require any medium.

Is light a medium?

No, it doesn’t. Light is an electromagnetic wave and all electromagnetic waves require no medium to travel. Originally Answered: Does light needs a medium to travel?

How light energy does or does not travel through different materials?

Light travels as a wave. But unlike sound waves or water waves, it does not need any matter or material to carry its energy along. This means that light can travel through a vacuum?