What are the characteristics of sound waves compared to light waves?

Sound waves are characteristics that define their behavior in different environments. They are classified as longitudinal waves, meaning that the particles of the medium through which they travel oscillate parallel to the direction of wave movement. This is in contrast to transverse waves, where particle movement is perpendicular to the direction of wave motion.

Additionally, sound waves require a medium—such as air, water, or solid materials—to propagate. They cannot travel through a vacuum because there are no particles to transmit the vibration that constitutes sound. Understanding these fundamental properties helps clarify why sound behaves differently than light.

Light waves, on the other hand, are electromagnetic waves and do not require a medium to travel; they can propagate through a vacuum. This distinction reinforces the characteristic that sound waves are inherently dependent on a medium for their transmission. Thus, the statement that sound waves are longitudinal and require a medium accurately describes their nature and behavior in physics.