What type of wave carries energy through the vacuum of space?

Electromagnetic waves are unique in that they do not require a medium to travel. This means they can move through the vacuum of space, unlike mechanical waves, which need a material medium (such as air, water, or solid substances) to propagate. Electromagnetic waves, which include light, radio waves, and X-rays, are able to carry energy across vast distances in space. This property is essential for various phenomena, such as the Sun's energy reaching the Earth.

In contrast, mechanical waves (like sound and water waves) are dependent on the presence of matter and cannot travel through empty space. Sound waves, specifically, involve vibrations of particles in a medium and are unable to propagate in a vacuum. Seismic waves transmit energy through the Earth, typically during events like earthquakes, and also require a medium. Therefore, the characteristics of electromagnetic waves make them the correct choice for the type of wave that carries energy through space.