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Yes, P-waves (primary waves) do slow down when they travel through water compared to when they travel through solid materials like rock. This decrease in speed is due to the lower density of water compared to solid materials, which results in a change in the wave's velocity.
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Why do electromagnetic wave travel fastest through a vacuum?
Electromagnetic waves travel fastest through a vacuum because there are no particles in a vacuum to slow them down. In other mediums, such as air or water, the waves interact with particles which can cause interference and slow down their speed.
What happens when waves slow down and change direction?
When waves slow down and change direction, it typically means they are entering a medium with a different density or refractive index. This can lead to the waves bending or refracting as they pass from one medium to another. This phenomenon is known as refraction and is commonly seen when waves pass through water or glass.
What happens to the path of waves when they travel from air to water, and why does this change occur?
When waves travel from air to water, they change direction and speed. This change occurs because the speed of waves is determined by the medium they are traveling through, and water is denser than air, causing the waves to slow down and bend.
Do light waves slow down or speed up when they hit water?
When light waves enter water, they slow down. This change in speed is due to the difference in the refractive index between air and water, which causes the light to bend as it moves from one medium to another.
Why do waves slow down close to the shore?
Waves slow down near the shore due to the decrease in water depth. As the waves approach shallower water, the wave energy is compressed, causing the wavelength to decrease and the wave height to increase. This change in wave characteristics ultimately leads to a decrease in wave speed.
