1. Sound is produced by vibration and propagates as a longitudinal mechanical wave. It needs a medium like air, water or other material to travel through.
2. As the vibrating object moves back and forth, it alternately compresses and rarifies the surrounding medium, creating regions of high and low pressure called compressions and rarefactions. This disturbance propagates through the medium.
3. The characteristics of a sound wave include its frequency, wavelength, amplitude, pitch and loudness. Frequency determines pitch, with higher frequencies being higher pitched. Amplitude determines loudness, with larger amplitudes being louder.