Are sound waves longitudinal or transverse? longitudinal transverse

## Step 1<br />Sound waves are a type of mechanical wave. Mechanical waves require a medium to travel through, and in the case of sound waves, this medium is typically air. <br /><br />## Step 2<br />In a longitudinal wave particles of the medium move in the same direction as the wave. This means that the displacement of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave. <br /><br />## Step 3<br />In contrast, in a transverse wave, the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the wave. This means that the displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave. <br /><br />## Step 4<br />Given that sound waves require a medium to travel through and the particles of the medium move in the same direction as the wave, we can conclude that sound waves are longitudinal.