Final answer:
Mechanical waves, like sound from a tuning fork, require a medium to travel and are longitudinal, whereas electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, are transverse, and have unique properties described by Maxwell's equations and quantum physics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the difference between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves is essential in the study of physics. Sound waves, such as those coming from a tuning fork, are mechanical waves that are longitudinal in nature; these waves require a medium, like air, to propagate. In contrast, electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature and do not require a medium — they can travel through both matter and a vacuum. Electromagnetic waves are governed by Maxwell's equations and display unique properties such as the constancy of the speed of light in a vacuum and the relationship between wavelength and frequency (e.g., c = λv). Additionally, they exhibit phenomena like quantum behavior and interference patterns, which are linked to the wave's frequency and energy, as exemplified by the electromagnetic spectrum and principles of quantum physics.