Yes, electromagnetic waves can be transmitted without the need for a physical medium like air or water. This property of electromagnetic waves is one of the fundamental aspects of electromagnetism.
Electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space. These waves are self-sustaining and can travel through a vacuum, such as empty space, where there is no material medium present.
This ability of electromagnetic waves to propagate through a vacuum is a consequence of the nature of the electromagnetic field itself. According to Maxwell's equations, which describe the behavior of electric and magnetic fields, changes in one field can induce changes in the other, creating a self-propagating wave. The fields support each other, and as they oscillate, they generate a wave that can propagate indefinitely without the need for a material medium to carry it.
This is why electromagnetic waves, including visible light, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and gamma rays, can travel through the vacuum of outer space. They do not require a medium to propagate because they are self-contained oscillations of the electromagnetic field.
It's worth noting that while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, they can also propagate through different materials, including air, water, and solids. In such cases, the presence of a medium can affect the speed and behavior of the waves, leading to phenomena such as refraction and absorption. However, the fundamental ability of electromagnetic waves to travel through space without a medium remains unchanged.