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Sound waves are classified as longitudinal waves because they consist of compressions and rarefactions that occur in the direction of the wave's travel. In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium through which the wave travels move back and forth in the same direction as the wave itself. This can be visualized as a series of compressions (where particles are close together) and rarefactions (where particles are spread apart) along the path of the sound propagation.

In contrast, electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to travel through, and their oscillations occur perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Transverse waves, like those seen in water or waves on a string, have particles that move up and down or side to side, again perpendicular to the direction of the wave. Surface waves also involve both longitudinal and transverse characteristics but are most commonly observed in contexts like ocean waves, where the wave travels along the surface of the water.

Sound's propagation and behavior align specifically with the properties of longitudinal waves, making this classification accurate and essential for understanding the physics of sound.