Question

Electromagnetic waves are capable of moving in a vacuum and through a medium. _____________ characteristic of light behavior best helps explain this effect.

Answer 1

Electromagnetic waves, such as light, can move in a vacuum and through a medium because they do not require a medium to propagate. This behavior, known as wave-particle duality, is a result of the wave-like nature of light.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electromagnetic waves, including light, are capable of moving in a vacuum and through a medium because they do not require a medium to propagate. This characteristic of light behavior, known as wave-particle duality, can be explained by the wave-like nature of light. Just like waves in a quiet pool of water, the disturbance created by changing electric and magnetic fields in light travels rapidly outward from its source, allowing it to move through empty space without the need for a medium.

Answer 2

The wave-like characteristics of light, characterized by frequency and wavelength, explain electromagnetic waves' ability to travel through a vacuum and mediums due to oscillating electric and magnetic fields.

Step-by-step explanation:

The wave-like characteristics of light best help to explain why electromagnetic waves are capable of moving in a vacuum and through a medium. This wave-like behavior can be characterized by a wave's frequency (ν) and wavelength (λ), with the relationship between them described by the equation c = λν, where c is the speed of light. Moreover, the changing electric and magnetic fields in electromagnetic waves allow them to propagate without the need for a medium, which differentiates them from mechanical waves that require a medium to travel through.