Sound must travel through a ______ or medium to move from one place to another.

Sound must travel through a ______ or medium to move from one place to another.

• A. Vacuum
• B. Space
• C. Empty
• D. Material

Answer: (D)

Sound is a mechanical wave, so it moves by making particles in a material vibrate and pass along that vibration. To travel from one place to another, there must be something made of matter for the energy to move through. That’s why a medium is needed. In a vacuum or in space, there aren’t enough particles to carry those vibrations, so sound can’t travel there. “Empty” describes a lack of matter, which also can’t carry sound. Any material—air, water, wood, metal—has particles that can vibrate and transfer the sound energy, so it’s the best choice.

Sound is a mechanical wave, so it moves by making particles in a material vibrate and pass along that vibration. To travel from one place to another, there must be something made of matter for the energy to move through. That’s why a medium is needed. In a vacuum or in space, there aren’t enough particles to carry those vibrations, so sound can’t travel there. “Empty” describes a lack of matter, which also can’t carry sound. Any material—air, water, wood, metal—has particles that can vibrate and transfer the sound energy, so it’s the best choice.