Sound Waves and Their Characteristics

Types of Waves

• Mechanical Waves: require a medium to propagate, e.g., water waves, sound waves
• Electromagnetic Waves: do not require a medium, e.g., light waves, radio waves

Sound Waves

• Definition: a type of mechanical wave that propagates through a medium, e.g., air, water, solid objects
• Characteristics:
  • Frequency (f): number of oscillations per second, measured in Hz (1 Hz = 1 oscillation per second)
  • Wavelength (λ): distance between two consecutive points on a wave, measured in meters
  • Speed (v): depends on the medium, approximately 343 m/s in air at 20°C
  • Amplitude (A): maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position
• Types of Sound Waves:
  • Audible Sound: frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz, perceivable by the human ear
  • Infrasound: frequencies below 20 Hz, not perceivable by the human ear
  • Ultrasonic Sound: frequencies above 20,000 Hz, not perceivable by the human ear

Sound Wave Propagation

• Refraction: bending of sound waves as they pass from one medium to another
• Reflection: sound waves bouncing back when hitting a surface
• Diffraction: bending of sound waves around obstacles
• Interference: overlapping of sound waves resulting in reinforcement or cancellation

Sound Perception

• Pitch: perceived frequency of a sound wave, higher frequency = higher pitch
• Loudness: perceived amplitude of a sound wave, higher amplitude = louder sound
• Timbre: unique "tone color" of a sound, dependent on the sound wave's frequency spectrum

Learn about the types of waves, sound wave characteristics, and how they propagate and are perceived, including frequency, wavelength, speed, amplitude, and more.