What is a mechanical wave?

Answer 1

1.A mechanical wave is a wave that requires a medium through which to transmit energy. Sound waves, waves in a Slinky, and pressure waves are all examples of this. Sound waves need air molecules in order to exist; the Slinky waves need the Slinky, and the waves in the ocean need the water.

It follows, then, that mechanical waves cannot exist in a vacuum. This is the factor that distinguishes them from electromagnetic waves.

Mechanical waves are a local oscillation of material. Only the energy propagates; the oscillating material does not move far from its initial equilibrium position. Therefore, mechanical waves transport energy and not material.

A mechanical wave requires an initial energy input to be created. Once this initial energy is added, the wave will travel through the medium until all the energy has been transferred.

There are three types of mechanical waves. Transverse waves are waves that cause the medium to vibrate at a 90-degree angle to the direction of the wave. Two parts of the wave are the Crest, and the Trough. The crest is the highest point of the wave, and, the trough is the lowest. The wavelength is the distance between each wavelength.

The next type is longitudinal waves. A longitudinal wave is much like a slinky. When the particals the wave is traveling through are close together, it is called compression. When the particals it is traveling through are spread apart, it is called rarefaction.

The final type of wave is a surface wave. This type of wave travels along a surface that is between two mediums. An example of a surface wave would be waves in a pool, or in an ocean.

In all types of waves, the medium itself does not move. The wave travels by jumping from one particle of the medium to another.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical%5Fwave

2.A mechanical wave is a wave which is not capable of transmitting its energy through a vacuum. Mechanical waves require a medium in order to transport their energy from one location to another. A sound wave is an example of a mechanical wave. Sound waves are incapable of traveling through a vacuum. Slinky waves, water waves, stadium waves, and telephone chord waves are other examples of mechanical waves; each requires some medium in order to exist. A slinky wave requires the coils of the slinky; a water wave requires water; a stadium wave requires fans in a stadium; and a telephone chord wave requires a telephone chord.

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/waves/u10l1c.html

Answer 2

Mechanical Wave

Answer 3

Hi. Sound, the ones you see on the oceans, the ones that travel along a slinky, for example.