Sound as a Wave
Sound exhibits wave properties: it has displacement, travels in a direction, and can be represented as displacement vs time or position.
Try the simulator
Sound as a Wave
Travelling wave: displacement vs position or particle view.
Wave representation
A sound wave can be plotted as displacement of particles versus position (at one instant) or displacement versus time (at one place). The wave shape repeats in space (wavelength λ) and in time (period T). The wave travels in the direction of propagation while the particles oscillate back and forth about their mean position.
✔ Key takeaway: Sound is a wave: it has wavelength, period, and travels in a direction; particles oscillate locally.
Link to simulator: Toggle between wave view and particle view in the simulator to see both representations.