Question

If sound waves are generated in air, what moves away from the source? Is it the air itself or the state of compression and rarefaction created in the air?

Answer 1

Answer: Compression and rarefactionare produced because of the disturbance in medium caused bysound wave. Sound wave propagates because of compression and rarefaction of the particles of the medium. When an object starts vibrating, it creates disturbance in medium.

Answer 2

If sound waves are generated in the air, compression and refraction are created.

• Because of vibration and rarefaction of medium materials, the sound wave propagates. When an object starts to vibrate, it creates a disturbance in the medium.
• Compression happens as molecules are pulled together, or squeezed. Rarefaction is the reverse, where molecules receive extra space and are allowed to expand.Thus, as the molecules are pushed together, the kinetic energy is transferred onto each other.