* Mechanical waves require a medium: Surface waves, like waves on water, travel through a medium (the water in this case). They need the physical particles of the medium to vibrate and transfer energy.

* Energy transfer through vibrations: Surface waves are characterized by the up and down, and back and forth, motion of the water particles. These vibrations propagate energy through the medium.

Examples:

* Ocean waves: These are classic examples of surface waves where the water molecules move in a circular path, creating the wave pattern.

* Seismic waves: Some types of seismic waves (like Rayleigh waves) are surface waves that travel along the Earth's surface during earthquakes.

Key distinction:

* Electromagnetic waves (like light and radio waves) are not mechanical waves. They can travel through a vacuum and do not require a medium.