What are electromagnetic waves?

Electromagnetic waves are fundamentally characterized by their ability to travel through a vacuum, which means they do not require a physical medium such as air, water, or solid materials to propagate. This unique property allows electromagnetic waves, such as light, radio waves, and X-rays, to move through empty space, as seen in how sunlight reaches Earth.

The nature of electromagnetic waves involves oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to each other and also perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. This distinct behavior contrasts with mechanical waves, which need a medium for their transmission and cannot travel through a vacuum at all.

Given this understanding, the accurate definition of electromagnetic waves is that they can travel through a vacuum, making them fundamental to many technologies and natural phenomena.