What do mechanical waves consist of?

Mechanical waves consist of repeated disturbances that propagate through a medium, such as solids, liquids, or gases. These disturbances involve the vibration of particles in the medium, allowing energy to be transferred from one location to another without the physical transfer of matter itself.

For instance, when a stone is thrown into a pond, it creates ripples that move outward. These ripples are the mechanical waves caused by disturbances in the water. Similarly, sound waves are a type of mechanical wave that travels through air (or other media) as particles vibrate back and forth.

Other options represent different types of waves or phenomena. Light waves and radio waves are forms of electromagnetic radiation, which do not require a medium to travel through; they are inherently different from mechanical waves. Sound waves are indeed a type of mechanical wave, but they do not encompass the broader concept or definition of mechanical waves themselves. Therefore, repeated disturbances through a medium accurately captures the essence of what mechanical waves are.