How many different types of sound waves are there?

Answer 1

All sound is the same, just at different frequencies and volume.

However sound is often categorised into three groups.

Subsonic - Low frequency, below the threshold of human hearing. 25 hertz or less.

Audible - Any sound a normal human being can hear. 25 Hertz - 18 Kilo Hertz.

Ultrasonic - High frequency sound, above the threshold of human hearing. 18 Kilo hertz and above. It should be noted that some animals such as dogs and bats can hear much higher frequencies than humans.

Also note, the upper limit of human hearing varies from person to person, and decreases with age. 18 - 18.5 kilo hertz is normally the upper limit for most people.

Answer 2

There are three main types of sound waves: transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves. Transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's energy transfer, longitudinal waves move parallel, and surface waves are a combination of both.