If light can behave as a wave, what is the medium through which it travels in space?

Question

Don’t waves need a medium to travel through? Isn’t space just essentially empty? I know they’re electromagnetic waves, but what does that mean essentially?

Edit: Thanks for the response guys. From your response I’ve realised there’s no way to explain to a 5 year old how light works!

In: Physics

Answer 1

Electromagnetic waves don’t need a medium to travel. Mechanical waves do (water ripples, acoustic shockwave etc.)