What are mechanical waves ?

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Definition of Mechanical Waves**: Mechanical waves are defined as disturbances that lead to the oscillation of matter and are responsible for the transfer of energy through a medium.

2. **Medium Requirement**: Mechanical waves always require a material medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel. This means they cannot propagate in a vacuum.

3. **Types of Mechanical Waves**: There are three main types of mechanical waves:
- **Transverse Waves**: In these waves, the oscillation of particles is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. An example is waves on a string or water waves.
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