Acoustic wave

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Acoustic waves are disturbances that propagate through a medium—such as air, water, or solids—by causing the particles of the medium to compress and expand. These waves carry energy and are characterized by properties like acoustic pressure, particle velocity, and acoustic intensity. The speed of an acoustic wave depends on the properties of the medium it travels through; for example, it travels at approximately 343 meters per second in air, and 1480 meters per second in water. Acoustic waves encompass a broad range of phenomena, from audible sound to seismic waves and ultrasound, finding applications in diverse fields like acoustics, engineering, and medicine.