Here's why:
* Mechanical waves are disturbances that travel through a medium. They are created by the vibration of particles within the medium.
* The particles themselves do not travel long distances. They simply oscillate or vibrate around their equilibrium positions.
* The energy is transferred from particle to particle. Think of a chain reaction where the movement of one particle causes the next to move, and so on.
Examples of media that carry mechanical waves:
* Solids: Sound waves traveling through a metal bar
* Liquids: Water waves
* Gases: Sound waves traveling through air
Important Note: Electromagnetic waves, like light, do not require a medium to travel. They can travel through the vacuum of space.
