What Is Sound? - Understood at Atomic Level

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Sound is fundamentally a wave in pressure, resulting from fluctuations in air pressure caused by the movement of molecules. At the atomic level, sound is not produced by collisions of atoms or electrons but rather by the collective behavior of many particles creating pressure waves. Friction is not necessary for sound production, as sound relies on normal stress rather than shear stress. The perception of sound is analogous to touch, where movement is sensed by the ear instead of the skin. Understanding sound involves recognizing its properties at both macro and micro levels.
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What exactly is SOUND ? I have read in many books as describing it as the energy carried by fluctuation of air pressure of correct extent & rapidity or compression & rarefaction of air molecules but i want to know what exactly happens at micro level , at atomic level , out of curiosity what will happen when atoms or electron collide , is sound produced , can it be measured ? Is it a property of macro level ? IS friction necessary to produce sound ?
 
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mkbh_10 said:
What exactly is SOUND ? I have read in many books as describing it as the energy carried by fluctuation of air pressure of correct extent & rapidity or compression & rarefaction of air molecules but i want to know what exactly happens at micro level , at atomic level , out of curiosity what will happen when atoms or electron collide , is sound produced , can it be measured ? Is it a property of macro level ? IS friction necessary to produce sound ?
Do you understand what pressure is "at a micro level"? If so, then sound is essentially just a wave in the pressure.

Friction is not really relevant to sound. Basically friction is due to shear stress, while pressure is due to normal stress.
 


Sound is like touch. Touch is movement sensed by your skin, sound is movement sensed by your ear.
 

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