Sounds waves are longitudinal waves because in longitudinal waves particles of medium vibrate about there mean position while light is electromagnetic waves which do not require a medium.
All waves have an amplitude, wavelength, and frequency. Amplitude is how far away the wave moves from its resting place. When drawn on a graph, the amplitude is the distance between the upper (crests) and lower (troughs) points and their center on the wave. Wavelength is the distance two crests or troughs are away from each other. Frequency is the number of waves produced in a set amount of time. The unit used to measure frequency is Hertz (Hz). With sound waves, the frequency determines the pitch. The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch, and vice versa. So, a bass drum, which has a low pitch, would have a lower frequency than a mosquito's whine, which is very high pitched. Light waves are actually electromagnetic waves. Their frequency determines what kind of wave they are, whether it's gamma rays, ultraviolet, x-rays, or something else.
