What characteristics define mechanical waves and how do they differ from other types of waves, specifically in terms of their transverse nature?

Mechanical waves are defined by their ability to travel through a medium, such as air or water, by causing particles in the medium to vibrate. They differ from other types of waves, like electromagnetic waves, in that they require a medium to propagate. Transverse mechanical waves move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's energy, causing particles in the medium to oscillate up and down or side to side. This is in contrast to longitudinal waves, where particles move parallel to the direction of the wave's energy.