1) Sound is produced by vibrations traveling through a medium as a longitudinal wave. When an object vibrates, it disturbs the surrounding air molecules which then transfer the sound energy through compressions and rarefactions. 2) Sound propagates through solids, liquids, and gases by particles transferring energy to adjacent particles. It travels fastest in solids where particles are close together, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases where particles are farther apart. 3) Sound needs a medium like air, water or solid material to travel through. It cannot travel through a vacuum. The speed of sound varies depending on the density of the medium, being highest in solids at around 5,960 m/s