When a sound wave propagates through air, how do the air molecules move?(1 point)
Responses
a) The air molecules move randomly.
The air molecules move randomly.
b) The air molecules vibrate side to side, perpendicular to the wave’s
direction of travel.
The air molecules vibrate side to side, perpendicular to the wave’s
direction of travel.
c) The air molecules vibrate forward and back along the wave’s direction of
travel.
The air molecules vibrate forward and back along the wave’s direction of
travel.
d) The energy is transferred without physical motion.
c) The air molecules vibrate forward and back along the wave’s direction of travel.
c) The air molecules vibrate forward and back along the wave’s direction of travel.
c) The air molecules vibrate forward and back along the wave's direction of travel.
When a sound wave propagates through air, the air molecules do not randomly move or vibrate side to side. Instead, they vibrate back and forth along the direction of the wave's travel. This vibrating motion is what allows the sound wave to propagate through the air. As the sound wave passes, the air molecules are compressed (moved closer together) and then expanded (moved further apart) in a cyclic manner. This movement of air molecules creates regions of high and low pressure, resulting in the characteristic pattern of a sound wave.