In the context of the question, the waves that can travel through empty space are light waves. Light waves are a form of electromagnetic waves that do not require a medium to propagate through, unlike water waves, mechanical waves, and sound waves.
Light waves are made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can travel through a vacuum, such as outer space. This property of light waves allows them to move through empty space, reaching us from the sun and other celestial bodies.
Unlike water waves, which need water as a medium to travel through, mechanical waves like seismic waves or waves on a string also require a medium for transmission. Similarly, sound waves need a medium, such as air, water, or solids, to propagate and cannot travel through a vacuum like outer space.
Therefore, out of the options given, light waves (option D) are the only waves that can travel through empty space due to their electromagnetic nature that does not rely on a medium for propagation.
