Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What type of wave is classified as a mechanical wave?

1. A wave that can travel through a vacuum

2. A wave that requires a medium to travel

3. A wave with no physical movement

4. A wave produced by electromagnetic pulses

The correct answer is: A wave that requires a medium to travel

Mechanical waves are defined as waves that require a medium, such as air, water, or solid substances, to propagate. This is because mechanical waves rely on the oscillation of particles within the medium to transmit energy. For example, sound waves are mechanical waves that travel through the air by causing air particles to vibrate and thus carry the sound energy. The other choices describe different types of waves or properties that are not consistent with the definition of mechanical waves. Waves that can travel through a vacuum, such as light waves, do not require a medium and are classified as electromagnetic waves. Waves with no physical movement do not fit the criteria for any form of wave propagation, as all waves involve some form of oscillation or movement of particles. Lastly, waves produced by electromagnetic pulses also do not require a medium and are therefore not mechanical. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify what characterizes mechanical waves and reinforces the importance of a medium for their propagation.