Like heat and light, sound is also a form of energy which has a characteristic o

f giving the sensation of hearing. Sound is produced by vibrating bodies. It pro

pagates in air, in the form of longitudinal waves that comprise of compressions
and rarefactions unlike the waves on a water surface, which transverse in nature
. The vibrations of a body cause the surrounding layers of air to vibrate to and
fro, which cause these compressions and rarefactions. As sound requires a mediu
m for propagation, it is a mechanical wave. The famous bell jar experiment prove
s this fact. Some of the properties of sound consist of its wavelength, frequenc
y, amplitude and speed. Wavelength is the distance between two successive compre
ssions or two successive rarefactions. Time period is the time taken by a partic
le to undergo one compression and the succeeding rarefaction. Frequency is the n
umber of vibrations made by a particle in one second, which is generally referre
d to as pitch.

https://www.physics.purdue.edu/demos/display_page.php?item=4A-03
Introduction:
Let us discuss production of sound waves. The production of sound w
aves are produced by vibrating body. When a gong of a bell is struck with a ham
mer, sound is produced. The gong is set into the vibrations and sound waves are
propagated in the air. When these waves reach the ear, the ear drum is set into
waves. These waves are communicated to brain and we get sensation of hearing.
Types of Production Waves
* When the stone touches the water surfaces,it gets disturbed.
* A disturbance is created at the point,where the stone touches the water su
rface.
* It is interesting to see how the disturbance progress outwards in series o
f concentric called "ripples".
* The pattern of the disturbance which travels through medium is known as "p
roduction wave".
* The waves are term as 'elastic waves' or 'mechanical waves'.
* The mechanical waves having two types:
* Longitudinal wave.
* Transverse wave.
Propagation of Sound in Different Media:
* A sound wave is one of the most commonly observed in production wave.
* Minute amount of the energy is carried to the ears by sound waves.
* These stimulate the sensation of production sound.
* Medium is the essential for the propagation of the sound waves and the med
ium transmits the sound waves to the ear.
* Sound is produced by any which vibrates mechanically,whether it is audible
or not,depends on frequency and amplitude of the variations.
* The sound which has frequency between 20Hz to 20,000Hz is audible sound.Th
is frequency range is called audible range.
* The sound having frequency below 20Hz and above 20,000Hz cannot be heard b
y human ear.
* The frequency limit varies with individual and also for the same person wi
th age.
* The ears of elders are less sensitive to higher frequency.
* Sound wave is transmitted through a medium in the form of longitudinal wav
e.
* Longitudinal wave contains alternating compressions and rarefactions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NdwLi6d6Xg