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Light is able to travel through a vacuum because it consists of electromagnetic waves, which do not require a medium to propagate. Electromagnetic waves are composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can propagate through empty space.

On the other hand, matter consists of particles such as atoms and molecules, which interact with each other through various forces. These interactions give rise to physical properties like mass and inertia, which make matter unable to travel through a vacuum without a medium.

In a vacuum, there are no particles or medium present to propagate mechanical disturbances or transmit forces between particles. As a result, matter cannot move through a vacuum because there is no medium to support its structure or facilitate its motion. However, light, being an electromagnetic wave, does not require a medium and can travel through empty space unimpeded.

It's worth noting that in some specific cases, matter can be accelerated or propelled through a vacuum using various techniques like ion propulsion or particle accelerators. However, these methods involve utilizing forces and mechanisms that are fundamentally different from the simple transmission of matter through a medium.

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