Acoustic waves

Acoustic waves are vibrations that travel through a medium, such as air, water, or solids, producing sound. When an object vibrates—like a guitar string or vocal cords—it creates pressure changes in the surrounding medium. These pressure changes move outward as waves, which our ears detect and interpret as sound. Acoustic waves vary in frequency (pitch) and amplitude (volume), influencing how we perceive different sounds. They play a crucial role in communication, music, and numerous technologies, from hearing aids to sonar.