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Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave
written by Tom Henderson
This interactive tutorial describes the nature of sound as a mechanical wave -- a wave that requires a medium to transport energy from one location to another. It is the first of three related tutorials for introductory physics designed to promote understanding of the characteristics and nature of sound waves. It includes an animation of longitudinal wave motion and discussion of the difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.

This resource is part of The Physics Classroom website.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-is-a-M...
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Oscillations & Waves
- Wave Motion
= Longitudinal Pulses and Waves
= Transfer of Energy in Waves
- High School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Tutorial
- Audio/Visual
= Movie/Animation
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Learners
- text/html
- image/gif
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Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 2001 Tom Henderson
No derivatives, commercial use prohibited
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created March 11, 2011 by Tom Henderson
Record Updated:
January 29, 2018 by Caroline Hall
Last Update
when Cataloged:
January 15, 2018
Other Collections:

Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Wave Properties (PS4.A)
  • A sound wave needs a medium through which it is transmitted. (6-8)

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information (K-12)
  • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to evaluating the validity and reliability of the claims, methods, and designs. (9-12)
    • Communicate scientific information (e.g., about phenomena and/or the process of development and the design and performance of a proposed process or system) in multiple formats (including orally, graphically, textually, and mathematically). (9-12)
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
T. Henderson, (2001), WWW Document, (https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-is-a-Mechanical-Wave).
AJP/PRST-PER
T. Henderson, Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave (2001), <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-is-a-Mechanical-Wave>.
APA Format
Henderson, T. (2018, January 15). Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-is-a-Mechanical-Wave
Chicago Format
Henderson, Tom. Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave. January 15, 2018. https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-is-a-Mechanical-Wave (accessed 1 May 2025).
MLA Format
Henderson, Tom. Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave. 2001. 15 Jan. 2018. 1 May 2025 <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-is-a-Mechanical-Wave>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Tom Henderson", Title = {Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {1 May 2025}, Month = {January 15, 2018}, Year = {2001} }
Refer Export Format

%A Tom Henderson %T Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave %D January 15, 2018 %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-is-a-Mechanical-Wave %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Henderson, Tom %D January 15, 2018 %T Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave %V 2025 %N 1 May 2025 %8 January 15, 2018 %9 text/html %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-is-a-Mechanical-Wave


Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.

Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

Physics Classroom: Sound is a Mechanical Wave:

Has Teaching Guide Sound Animations

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This page features a collection of fascinating video footage and follow-on activities; intended as lesson starters.

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