Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium to travel through. They can propagate through:
- Solids: Sound travels fastest in solids because particles are tightly packed, allowing efficient transmission of vibrations. For example, sound travels quickly through wood, metal, or walls
- Liquids: Sound also travels through liquids such as water, where it moves slower than in solids but faster than in gases. This is why you can hear sounds underwater
- Gases: Air is the most common gaseous medium for sound waves, where sound travels slower than in solids and liquids but is still easily transmitted
Sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum because there are no particles to transmit the vibrations. This is why sound cannot travel through outer space
. In summary, sound waves can travel through any material medium-solids, liquids, and gases-but not through a vacuum
