Natural Science CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Electromagnetic waves travel through a vacuum and can penetrate solid objects, making them the most likely culprit for causing disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field. Radio waves cannot penetrate solid objects, so they are highly unlikely to cause disruptions. On the other hand, seismic waves are physical vibrations and do not have the properties to affect a magnetic field. Infrared waves are also physical vibrations that do not have the capability to disrupt the Earth's magnetic field. Therefore, electromagnetic waves are the only type of wave that can potentially cause disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field.