Mechanical waves are a type of wave that requires a medium for propagation. They are produced due to the vibration of particles in the medium and transfer energy from one point to another without physically moving the particles themselves.
Mechanical waves require a medium for propagation, while electromagnetic waves do not. Mechanical waves also transfer energy by causing the particles in the medium to vibrate, while electromagnetic waves transfer energy through oscillations of electric and magnetic fields.
Tension is the force that is applied to a medium in order to produce mechanical waves. It is the force that creates the vibration of particles in the medium, causing the wave to propagate.
The tension of a medium affects the speed of mechanical waves by determining the stiffness of the medium. A higher tension results in a stiffer medium, which increases the speed of the wave. A lower tension results in a softer medium, which decreases the speed of the wave.
Yes, mechanical waves can be reflected and refracted when they encounter a boundary between two different mediums. The angle of reflection and refraction depends on the angle of incidence and the properties of the two mediums, such as their density and elasticity.