The terms "sound waves" and "energy waves" are not distinct categories; rather, they describe different aspects of the same phenomenon. Sound waves are a specific type of energy wave that propagates through a medium, typically air, but also through other materials like water or solids.
Sound waves are mechanical waves, meaning they require a medium to travel through. They are generated by the vibration or disturbance of an object or source, which sets particles in the medium into motion. These particles then transmit the energy of the disturbance to neighboring particles, creating a chain reaction that forms the sound wave. In simpler terms, sound waves are the result of vibrating objects or sources, and they travel through a medium by causing particles in that medium to vibrate back and forth.
Energy waves, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses various forms of waves, including sound waves. Energy waves refer to the propagation of energy through space or a medium in wave-like patterns. They can take different forms such as electromagnetic waves (e.g., light, radio waves), mechanical waves (e.g., sound waves, seismic waves), or other types of waves that transfer energy from one location to another.
In summary, sound waves are a specific type of energy wave that transfers energy through the vibration of particles in a medium. While sound waves fall under the category of energy waves, not all energy waves are sound waves. Energy waves can encompass a broader range of wave types that propagate through different mediums and carry different forms of energy.