A sound wave is a _____.

A sound wave is a _____.

• A. Pressure wave
• B. Frequency wave
• C. Velocity wave
• D. Amplitude wave

Answer: (A)

Sound travels through a medium as a disturbance in pressure around the ambient level, and that pattern of alternating higher and lower pressure is what we call a pressure wave. In air, the air molecules oscillate back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels, making it a longitudinal pressure wave. Frequency describes how often the pressure cycles occur per second, but doesn’t define the type of wave. Velocity describes how fast the wave moves, not the kind of wave. Amplitude describes how big the pressure changes are, not the wave’s category. So the most accurate description is a pressure wave.

Sound travels through a medium as a disturbance in pressure around the ambient level, and that pattern of alternating higher and lower pressure is what we call a pressure wave. In air, the air molecules oscillate back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels, making it a longitudinal pressure wave. Frequency describes how often the pressure cycles occur per second, but doesn’t define the type of wave. Velocity describes how fast the wave moves, not the kind of wave. Amplitude describes how big the pressure changes are, not the wave’s category. So the most accurate description is a pressure wave.