Final answer:
Sound is a longitudinal wave transmitted as a disturbance in matter, characterized by its frequency, wavelength, period, and amplitude. It has properties including pitch and the speed of sound varies with different media.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sound is a type of wave that is created by a disturbance in matter and is transmitted from its source in the form of longitudinal waves. This means that the particles of the medium through which the sound is traveling vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave's travel, creating regions of compression and rarefaction. The properties of sound waves include frequency, wavelength, period, and amplitude. The frequency of a sound wave determines its pitch, with higher frequencies producing higher pitches. Most humans can hear sounds that have frequencies between 30 Hz and 20,000 Hz. The speed of sound varies depending on the medium it travels through, with sound generally traveling faster in solids than in liquids, and faster in liquids than in gases.
The relationship between the speed of sound (v), its frequency (f), and its wavelength (λ) is captured by the equation v = fλ, which is a common relationship for all types of waves. Additionally, when sound waves overlap, they can interact through superposition, affecting the amplitude of the resultant wave.