A repeated back and forth or up and down motion is called a

This is what a calorimeter is used for simpler ex, to measure calories in food.

Sounds propagates through some kind of medium. usually it's air, but it goes just as well through solid objects like walls, windows etc. a soundwave will compress the (air)molecules in front of it, and if this increased density wave hits your ears, you register it as sound. solid objects like walls are a lot denser than air, this means that they will damp a wave, but also carry it easier.