Final answer:
Light waves are described as transverse and electromagnetic because they are part of the electromagnetic spectrum with perpendicular oscillations relative to the direction of wave travel.
Step-by-step explanation:
Light waves are best described as transverse and electromagnetic. This is because light waves, which are a form of electromagnetic radiation, have oscillations that are perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. The electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields in an electromagnetic wave, such as visible light, are oriented perpendicularly to each other and to the direction in which the wave travels, as depicted in the various figures showing the orientation of an EM wave.
In contrast, mechanical waves require a medium to travel through and include two categories based on the type of motion: transverse and longitudinal waves. Sound waves, for instance, are an example of longitudinal mechanical waves, where the disturbance is parallel to the direction of wave propagation. The question, however, specifically asks about light waves which are not mechanical but electromagnetic and do not require a medium for propagation.