Question

can mechanical waves require a medium to travel

Answer 1

Yes, mechanical waves require a medium to travel. Mechanical waves are waves that require a material medium, such as air, water, or a solid medium, to transmit energy from one location to another. Examples of mechanical waves include sound waves, water waves, and seismic waves. These waves involve the transfer of particles in the medium vibrating or oscillating, which causes the wave to propagate. Without a medium, there would be no particles to vibrate, and thus, mechanical waves cannot travel.