What Type of Wave Is Sound?
Last Updated Mar 26, 2020 12:17:47 AM ET
A sound wave takes on the form of a longitudinal wave. Sound waves are also classified as mechanical waves since they require a medium to travel through.
A sound wave is a type of pressure wave caused by the vibration of an object in a conductive medium such as air. When the object vibrates, it sends out a series of waves that are interpreted as sound. The vibrations travels at different speeds through different types of mediums and all mechanical waves require a medium through which they can move. Since space is a vacuum, sound does not travel in space.
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