The statement that sound can travel through air and push things back is not entirely accurate. Sound waves are mechanical waves that travel through various mediums, including air, but they do not possess the property of directly pushing objects back. Sound waves transmit energy through the vibration of particles in a medium, which can cause displacement or movement of objects under certain circumstances. However, this movement is a result of the energy transfer, not a direct push from the sound wave itself.
The understanding of sound and its nature has developed over thousands of years. Ancient civilizations recognized the existence of sound and understood basic concepts related to it. The ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras, for instance, observed the relationship between pitch and the length of vibrating strings.
However, a more comprehensive scientific understanding of sound took longer to develop. It was not until the 17th century that scientists began to make significant strides in studying sound waves and their properties. One notable figure in the field of acoustics was Robert Hooke, an English scientist who conducted experiments with vibrating strings and air columns. He made significant contributions to understanding sound and the nature of waves.
The 19th century witnessed further advancements in the study of sound, with notable figures like Ernst Chladni and Hermann von Helmholtz conducting experiments on the physical properties of sound waves. Chladni's work on vibrating plates and Helmholtz's research on the perception of sound greatly contributed to the scientific understanding of acoustics.
In summary, the understanding of sound waves and their properties took time to develop due to the complexity of the phenomenon and the gradual accumulation of scientific knowledge over centuries. It required the contributions of numerous scientists and the development of experimental techniques to uncover the nature of sound and its behavior in various mediums.