Sound waves are divided into two types: longitudinal and transverse.

Longitudinal waves
travel parallel to particles, while transverse waves travel at 90 degrees. The amplitude of a
wave is the length from the middle to the peak or trough, and the pitch is the distance from
one point to the next. Frequency is the number of ways in a single second, measured in hertz
per second. Wavelengths are the distance from one point to the next point in the next
location. Superposition is when sound waves cancel or make louder, while superposition
cancels when two waves are the same pitch but opposite direction. Materials can be absorbed,
transmitted, or reflected. When transmitted waves are allowed through, the sound is
cancelled. Reflections occur when sound waves bounce back to the source, called an echo. To
calculate the speed of sound, divide distance by time and multiply by time.

Humans can hear from 20 hertz to 20000 hertz. Sound waves travel to the ear through the ear
canal and vibrate the eardrum, which then passes vibrations onto bones called anvil, stirrup,
and hammer. These vibrations are detected by the cochlea and hairs inside the cochlia,
creating electrical signals called impulses. These impulses travel along the auditory nerves to
reach the brain. Mics work similarly, vibrating the sound and generating currents. Ultrasound,
a high-pitched sound, is used by animals like whales and bats for natural prey detection,
medical purposes, and rare material cleaning. Infrasound, with a low pitch, is too quiet for
humans to hear under 20 Hertz.