Light waves are electromagnetic waves that are created by the movement of electrically charged particles. Mechanical waves, on the other hand, are created by the movement of matter.
Light waves travel at a much faster speed than mechanical waves. Light waves can travel through a vacuum at a speed of approximately 299,792,458 meters per second, while the speed of sound, a common mechanical wave, is around 343 meters per second in air.
Light waves include visible light, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and radio waves. Mechanical waves include sound waves, water waves, and seismic waves.
Light waves are able to travel through a vacuum and most transparent materials, while mechanical waves require a medium to propagate. Light waves can also be refracted and diffracted, while mechanical waves can be reflected and absorbed.
Frequency and wavelength are two important properties of waves. In light waves, frequency determines the color of the light, while wavelength determines the energy of the light. In mechanical waves, frequency and wavelength are related to the pitch and amplitude of the wave.