How does sound travel through oxygen?

Answer 1

Sound is a mechanical wave that can best be described as a 'vibrational' form of energy.

It propagates throughout a space by vibrational motions of molecules. In other words, it does not technically travel through oxygen molecules but the sound energy makes the molecules vibrate. As the molecules vibrate, the energy is passed on to other molecules by collision and therefore the energy is transferred on and on.

Without a medium to travel through, sound energy cannot propagate or travel. In other words, if a bomb goes off in the middle of space or a vacuum, you will not be able to hear the explosion no matter how close you are to the explosion.

Answer 2

Sound travels through oxygen by creating vibrations in the air molecules. When a sound is produced, it causes the air molecules to compress and expand, creating a pressure wave that moves through the air. Our ears detect these pressure changes as sound.