Light waves are electromagnetic waves. They are not mechanical waves.
Electromagnetic waves are a type of wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. These waves can propagate through a vacuum as well as through various materials. Light waves, which include visible light, are a specific range of electromagnetic waves that humans can detect with their eyes.
Unlike mechanical waves, such as sound waves or water waves, which require a medium (a material substance) to propagate, electromagnetic waves do not require a medium. They can travel through empty space, including the vacuum of outer space, which is devoid of matter. This is one of the key characteristics that distinguishes electromagnetic waves from mechanical waves.
In summary, light waves are a subset of electromagnetic waves and are not considered mechanical waves. They are generated by the oscillation of electric and magnetic fields and can travel through space without the need for a physical medium.