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The energy in a sound wave is both kinetic and potential.

Just as in a vibrating spring, the medium has mass and moves and so moving mass is kinetic energy.

Just as in the spring there is compression and rarefaction, so there is elastic potential energy.

In fact, these two are equal, potential energy = kinetic energy, just like a spring.

Just like in a vibrating spring, the total energy is constant and equal to the average kinetic energy plus the average potential energy.

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11y ago
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11y ago

A 'mechanical' wave really means that something which has mass is made to vibrate, rather than an electrical wave where an electromagnetic field - no mass - is vibrating. When a mass is displaced, in microscopic terms, the little springy bonds between the molecules are stretched or compressed. When the deforming forces are removed they spring back, overshoot and the whole mass-spring system oscillates which is what happens in earthquakes.

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12y ago

Because it needs a medium in order to travel

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9y ago

sound waves are called mechanical waves because they need material medium for propagation of wave

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10y ago

longitudinal

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Q: What are common to sound waves and mechanical waves?
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Related questions

Is sound waves mechanical or waves?

Mechanical


Sound waves are examples of what?

sound waves are a example of mechanical waves


What do sound waves have in common with other mechanical waves?

They have the same wavelength and harmony. Sometimes the amplitude.


Why are sound waves not considered a mechanical wave?

Mechanical waves are waves that require a medium in which to travel, i.e., a solid or fluid. As sound needs a medium to travel, sound is a mechanical wave.


What travels in waves?

Mechanical waves such as sound and water waves.Electromagnetic waves, such as light, radio, microwaves, x-rays.


Sound waves are waves.?

sounds waves are longitudinal and mechanical waves


What do sound waves have in common with other mechanical devices?

They have the same wavelength and harmony. Sometimes the amplitude.


Are sound waves examples of mechanical waves?

Yes it is.


Is a sound wave mechanical or electromagnetic?

Seismic waves are mechanical waves.


Why do sound wave require a medium to travel?

Sound waves are mechanical waves and all mechanical waves require a material medium for its propagation unlike electromagnectic waves


Is a sound wave a electromagnetic wave in nature?

No. Sound waves are mechanical waves.


How are sound waves and seismic waves alike?

they're mechanical waves