Question

Sound waves are longitudinal waves why?

Answer 1

For a sound wave traveling through air, the vibrations of the particles are best described as longitudinal. Longitudinal waves are waves in which the motion of the individual particles of the medium is in a direction that is parallel to the direction of energy transport.

Answer 2

In Longitudinal waves the individual particles of medium travel along a direction parallel to the direction of propagation of the disturbance. The particles don't travel from one place to another but they simply oscillate back and forth about their position of rest. This is exactly how a sound wave propagates, therefore sound waves are longitudinal waves.