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Propagation of Sound Waves:
Sound waves move (propagate) through a medium by means of particle-to-particle interaction. The source disturbs the immediately surrounding particles, causing them to vibrate about their fixed position at the same frequency as the source. These particles in turn force their nearest neighbors to vibrate about their fixed position which in turn forces their nearest neighbors to vibrate about their fixed position which in turn ... . As a result of this particle-to-particle interaction, a sound wave travels through the medium from one location to another.
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As discussed in the Know the Law section, sound waves travel through a medium by means of particle-to-particle interaction. The source sets surrounding particles vibrating about their fixed position. By means of particle-to-particle interaction, all particles within the medium are soon vibrating about their fixed position. Sound waves can travel through any medium in this fashion by means of particle-to-particle interaction. But don't be fooled! Sound waves cannot travel through no medium. That is, sound waves cannot travel through a region of space void of matter - a vacuum. In the absence of particles, sound waves no longer exist.
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Definition of Mechanical Waves and Electromagnetic Waves:
There are a variety of ways to categorize waves. One way to categorize waves is to say that they are either mechanical waves or electromagnetic waves.
A mechanical wave is a type of wave that requires a medium in order to transport its energy from one location to another.
An electromagnetic wave is a type of wave that can transport its energy through a region of space void of matter. Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.
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