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Both sound waves and electromagnetic radiation:

A. travel at the speed of light.
B. require a medium to move through space.
C. can move through space without a medium.
D. transfer energy.

User BMitch
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Electromagnetic radiation can move through space without a medium, whereas sound waves require a medium to propagate. Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, which is much faster than the speed of sound through any medium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that both sound waves and electromagnetic radiation can move through space without a medium is accurate. Sound waves, which are mechanical in nature, do in fact require a medium such as air, liquid, or solid to propagate. In contrast, electromagnetic waves, which include gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet waves, visible light, infrared waves, microwaves, and radio waves, do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum. This is illustrated by light from distant stars reaching Earth without the need for a medium in the vacuum of space. Consequently, the correct option that describes both sound waves and electromagnetic radiation is:

C. can move through space without a medium.

However, this statement is only true for electromagnetic radiation. Sound waves do need a medium to travel. Additionally, while electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light(), sound waves travel at various speeds depending upon the medium through which they are passing, and this speed is much less than the speed of light. Furthermore, it's important to recognize that both types of waves transfer energy as they propagate through space or medium.

User Moshe L
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