[Physics] Why does sound need air in order to travel

acousticspressure

I know that in space, because of vacuum that we can't hear voices or sound to be specific, why is that? Why does sound need a medium to go through?

Best Answer

Sound is a pressure wave:

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Each vibration compresses the molecules and that compression propagates onwards. In order for sound to exist, we need something to be compressed. In space, the particles floating about probably aren't close enough to compress and make anything audible (I haven't traveled to space to test this, and I don't think anyone who has gone to space has tried it either).