Sound waves are vibrations that travel through a medium, such as air, water, or solids. These waves are created by a vibrating source, which causes particles in the medium to oscillate and transmit the energy. The frequency of these vibrations determines the pitch of the sound, while the amplitude affects its loudness. Sound waves can be classified into two main types: longitudinal and transverse waves. Longitudinal waves, like those produced by a tuning fork, move in the same direction as the wave, while transverse waves, such as those seen in water, move perpendicular to the direction of the wave. Understanding sound waves is essential in fields like music, engineering, and medicine.