Sound Waves: Characteristics and Applications

Sound waves are mechanical longitudinal waves that travel through a medium as compressions and rarefactions, characterized by properties such as frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and speed. Understanding these characteri…

• Sound is a mechanical wave and needs a medium (solid, liquid or gas) to travel.
• Sound cannot travel through a vacuum because there are no particles to carry the disturbance.
• Sound waves are longitudinal: particles vibrate parallel to the direction of travel.

Full explanation, worked examples & memory tricks in the app