Propagation of Sound in Air
Short Description of the Figure
The figure shows how sound travels in air when a metal strip vibrates. When the strip moves forward, it compresses air particles forming a compression (high pressure region). When it moves backward, air particles spread apart forming a rarefaction (low pressure region). These compressions and rarefactions move forward through air as a longitudinal sound wave. Air particles vibrate about their mean positions but do not travel with the wave.
