How do sound waves travel through the air?
When an object moves outward, it pushes air molecules which creates an area of high pressure. When the object moves inward, it creates an area of low pressure. As the vibrating object repeatedly squeezes and expands the surrounding air, the disturbance travels outward from the source of a sound wave.
Interactive Website on how sound waves travel:
http://www.knowitall.org/nasa/flash/sound/how_sound_travels.swf
Quiz Question:
When sound travels through air, the air particles
A. vibrate along the direction of wave reproduction
B. vibrate but not in any certain direction
C. vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave reproduction
D. do not vibrate
A. vibrate along the direction of wave reproduction
B. vibrate but not in any certain direction
C. vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave reproduction
D. do not vibrate
By: Aly Meyers