Sound is carried by a wave and needs a material to travel through. Sound waves are longitudinal and are produced by vibrating sources such as musical instruments. Sound and Light
Mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (such as air) and is the objective cause of hearing.
Sound is transmitted as a wave of compressed air. Disturbed air particles in turn disturb more particles allowing energy to be transferred. These disturbances are picked up by our ears and we 'hear' the sound.
Sound waves can be thought of like the waves in water. Frequency determines the length of the waves; amplitude or volume determines the height of the waves. At 20Hz, the wavelength is 56 feet long! These long waves give bass its penetrating ability, (why you can hear car boomers blocks away).
Successive pressure variations in the air that vary in amplitude and wavelength.
The longitudinal progressive vibrations in an elastic medium by which sounds are transmitted.
Fluctuating waves of pressure that travel through a physical medium such as air. An acoustic wave consists of a traveling vibration of alternate compressions and rarefactions, whereby sound is transmitted through air or other media.