Sound is classified as which type of wave?

Sound is classified as a mechanical wave because it requires a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to propagate. Mechanical waves transfer energy through the vibration of particles in the medium. In contrast, electromagnetic waves, such as light, do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.

Within the category of mechanical waves, sound specifically travels as longitudinal waves, where the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Although sound can also be described as a longitudinal wave, the classification of sound as a mechanical wave is the broader and more encompassing classification.

Understanding that sound is a mechanical wave is critical in sonography and acoustics since it emphasizes the need for a medium for sound propagation, and in medical sonography, utilizing mediums like gel helps facilitate effective sound transmission for imaging purposes.