What is the main difference between a mechanical and an electromagnetic wave?

Answer 1

The main difference between a mechanical wave and an electromagnetic wave lies in the way they propagate. Mechanical waves require a medium, such as air, water, or a solid material, to travel through, while electromagnetic waves do not require a medium and can propagate through a vacuum. Mechanical waves transfer energy by causing particles in the medium to vibrate and move back and forth in a wave-like motion, while electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate without the need for a medium. Additionally, mechanical waves are typically longitudinal or transverse, while electromagnetic waves can have various polarizations, including linear, circular, or elliptical.