Question

The sun generates both mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Which statement about those waves is true?

The mechanical waves reach Earth, while the electromagnetic waves do not.

The electromagnetic waves reach Earth, while the mechanical waves do not.

Both the mechanical waves and the electromagnetic waves reach Earth.

Neither the mechanical waves nor the electromagnetic waves reach Earth.

Answer 1

The electromagnetic waves reach Earth, while the mechanical waves do not.

Explanation:

Sun's radiation that reaches the Earth belongs to the Infra red, Visible and the Ultraviolet range of frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. Sun's rays travel through vacuum before entering the earth's atmosphere.

These rays can travel through vacuum. The speed with which electromagnetic waves travel is the same as the speed of light .

The mechanical waves are the longitudinal and the transverse waves. They require a medium to travel. In the absence of a material medium they cannot travel. Material media are like air, water, oil, glass etc.

That's why even though both mechanical and electromagnetic waves are generated by the Sun, it is the electromagnetic waves that reach the earth.

Answer 2

Among the choices, the correct statement is: "The electromagnetic waves reach Earth, while the mechanical waves do not."

The sun's electromagnetic waves reach the Earth in the form of radiation. Mechanical waves cannot travel through vacuum. These two facts alone support the correct statement.