What stops sound from travelling?

Question

Like if a clap my hands, why does the sound stop, is it molecules or particles blocking the sound waves?

In: 11

Answer 1

Sound waves are pressure waves and pressure waves move “things”. In most cases, what is moving are air molecules. Even though air is light, moving these molecules still require energy. So as sound travels and continually moves air molecules, the sound energy is “depleted”.

One way to see a similar thing is to throw a small rock into a still pond or bathtub. It creates waves and ripples but eventually those ripples die out.