What Type of Wave is Sound?

Answer: Sound Waves are Longitudinal Waves.

Sound waves are Mechanical waves as they need mediums typically air, water, and solids to travel. Sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum. These waves are created with the help of the vibration of an object, causing the surrounding air molecules to compress and expand. This will transmit the energy as a series of pressure waves. Further, these waves are converted into electrical signals that our brain processes and detects the sound through the ears.

Characteristics of Sound Waves

The basic characteristics of sound waves include:

• Frequency – Frequency is defined as the number of oscillations per second in a sound wave. The unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz). It is inversely proportional to time. Higher-frequency sounds are shrill.
• Wavelength – Wavelength is the length of one complete cycle of a sound wave i.e. the distance between adjacent compression and rarefaction. The unit of wavelength is meters.
• Amplitude – Amplitude is the displacement of sound waves from the mean position. A larger amplitude leads to a louder sound.
• Speed of Sound – Speed of sound is the distance travelled by sound wave per unit of time. The unit of speed of sound is m/s.
• Time Period – The duration or period of a wave is defined as the time required for one complete cycle of the wave to pass by a point.

What are Longitudinal Waves?

Longitudinal Waves are the type of mechanical waves in which the particles of the medium travel parallel to the direction of propagation of waves. Longitudinal waves has two phases that consist of alternate compressions (increased amplitude) and rarefactions (decreased amplitude).

• Compression: Compression is the zone where particles are closer and densely packed
• Rarefaction: Rarefaction is the zone where particles are farther from each other.

These waves can travel through different states of matter such as solids (metals), liquids (water) and gases (air). The propagation speed is different for different mediums, for example, these waves travel faster in solids than liquids, faster in liquids than gases.

Examples for Longitudinal waves are sound waves in air, seismic waves, tsunami waves etc.

What are Mechanical Waves?

Mechanical waves require a medium for its propagation, which include solids, liquids and gases. The particles of the medium vibrate as the wave passes through, transmitting energy from one particle to the next. There are two main types: Longitudinal and transverse waves. In longitudinal waves, the particles of medium propagate in the direction of waves whereas in transverse wave, the particles of medium move perpendicular to the direction of waves. Mechanical waves are not capable to travel in vacuum. So the speed of these waves in vacuum is zero.

Examples of mechanical waves are water waves, sound waves etc.

Are Sound Waves Electromagnetic or Mechanical?

Sound waves are Mechanical waves as they are formed by mechanical disturbance of the particles in air, and other mediums. Sound can not travel through vaccum.

FAQs

1. What is a Wave?

A wave is a disturbance in a medium that transports energy without causing net particle movement.

2. How is Sound Wave Produced?

Sound waves are produced with the help of the vibration of an object, causing the surrounding air molecules to compress and expand. This will transmit the energy as a series of pressure waves.

3. Why are Sound Waves also called Mechanical Waves?

Mechanical waves are the waves which cannot travel in vacuum and they need mediums like solids, liquids and gases to propagate. Hence sound waves are classified as mechanical waves.

4. What are the Characteristics of Sound?

The main qualities of sound include pitch, intensity, time period and timbre.

5. What will be the Effect of Temperature on Speed of Sound?

The speed of sound and temperature are directly proportional to each other. Speed of sound increases with the increase of temperature of the medium.

6. Why does Sound Waves travel faster in Solids as compared to liquids and gases?

Because the particles in solids are tightly packed and can easily collide with each other when compared to liquids and gases. Hence sound waves travel faster in solids.

7 . What is the Speed of Sound Wave?

The speed of sound wave in air is about 343 m/s.

8. In which medium Sound Travels Fastest?

Sound travels the fastest in solids.

9. Which type of Wave Sound Is?

Sound waves are longitudinal waves because the particles of the medium travel parallel to the direction of propagation of waves by experiencing compressions and rarefactions.

10. Are Sound Waves Longitudinal or Transverse?

Sound Waves are Longitudional Waves.