Sound Physics Quiz

The ability to be heard or the physical phenomenon that causes the sensation of hearing.

Sound is created when something vibrates, causing air molecules to move back and forth, producing pressure waves that travel to our ears.

A vibrating object causes air molecules to move, creating pressure waves that travel outward.

A medium is a substance that sound waves travel through, like air, water, or solids.

The rate at which sound waves vibrate. Higher frequency means a higher pitch.

The amount of energy in a sound wave, determining the sound's loudness. A louder sound has more amplitude.

The range of sound frequencies humans can hear, typically between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz.

The process by which our ears capture sound waves and convert them into signals our brain interprets as sound.

The movement of sound through a medium, like air, water, or solids.

The substance or material that sound waves travel through.

A region of high pressure created when a vibrating object pushes air molecules together.

A region of low pressure created when a vibrating object pulls air molecules apart.

The alternating pattern of compressions and rarefactions that travels through a medium as a sound wave.

The speed at which sound travels through a medium.

The change in the pitch of sound due to the relative motion between the source of sound and the listener.

The process by which vibrating objects create a series of compressions and rarefactions in a medium, generating a sound wave.

The closer the particles are in a medium, the higher the pressure. The farther apart they are, the lower the pressure.

Sound is a mechanical wave because it needs a medium (like air, water, or solids) to travel.

Sound waves are longitudinal, meaning particles in the medium move back and forth parallel to the direction the sound is traveling.

Sound waves are disturbances that travel through a medium, causing particles in that medium to vibrate.

The particles in a medium oscillate around their resting position as sound waves pass. They do not travel along with the wave.

In a transverse wave, particles move perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling.

Sound, being a longitudinal wave, cannot travel through a vacuum like space because it requires a medium.

The distance between two consecutive compressions or rarefactions in a sound wave, representing one complete cycle of the wave's oscillation.

The time taken for two consecutive compressions or rarefactions to pass a fixed point, representing the duration of one complete oscillation.

Regions of high pressure in a sound wave, where air molecules are pushed together.

Regions of low pressure in a sound wave, where air molecules are spread apart.

The SI unit for frequency, representing one cycle per second.

The foundation of radio, telephone, telegraph, and television.

A phenomenon observed by Hertz where light can knock electrons off a metal surface.

The speed of sound in a medium depends on the temperature of the medium. The higher the temperature, the faster the sound travels.

Sound travels slower in gases than in liquids, and slower in liquids than in solids. This is because the particles are closer together in solids, allowing sound to travel faster.

When sound waves hit a surface, they bounce back, similar to how a rubber ball bounces off a wall.

The angle at which sound hits a surface (angle of incidence) is equal to the angle at which it bounces back (angle of reflection).

Sound waves travel through a substance or material, called a medium. Common examples include air, water, and solids.

Sound waves are a type of mechanical wave, meaning they require a medium to travel. They cannot travel through a vacuum, such as space.

The speed of sound in air is approximately 331 m/s at 0°C and increases to 344 m/s at 22°C.