What type of waves are made up of changing electric and magnetic fields and can travel through space?

The correct response identifies electromagnetic waves, which are characterized by the presence of changing electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space. These waves do not require a medium to travel, allowing them to move through the vacuum of space, unlike mechanical waves which need a material medium such as air, water, or solid substances to transmit energy.

Electromagnetic waves encompass a wide range of phenomena, including visible light, radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays, all of which share the fundamental property of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to one another and to the direction of wave propagation. This aspect allows them to convey energy across vast distances, making them essential for various technologies such as radio communication, imaging, and many others.

In contrast, mechanical waves involve the disturbance of a medium's particles and cannot propagate through a vacuum. Transverse waves and sound waves do not exclusively represent the broader category of electromagnetic waves. While transverse waves can refer to the wave type found in electromagnetic waves, they also encompass other types and do not capture the essence of electromagnetic wave properties entirely, especially since they also include longitudinal waves like sound waves which are distinct.