Sound Waves and Their Properties

A medium is essential for sound energy as sound requires it to travel in the form of waves.

Sound is produced when an object vibrates, causing nearby particles in the medium to oscillate, creating compressions and rarefactions.

Mechanical waves, like sound waves, require a medium to travel, whereas electromagnetic waves, such as light, can travel through a vacuum.

<p>Compressions are areas of high particle density, while rarefactions are areas of low density in a sound wave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Frequency determines the pitch of the sound, while amplitude affects its loudness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In transverse waves, particles move perpendicular to the wave's direction, while in longitudinal waves, they oscillate parallel to the wave's motion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sound speed varies with the medium's properties, like temperature and density; it's faster in solids than in gases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Not all vibrations can be heard; our ability to perceive them depends on their frequency being within the audible range, typically $20 Hz$ to $20,000 Hz$.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Higher frequency correlates with shorter wavelength.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>880 Hz.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Higher amplitude results in a louder sound.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The amplitude decreases, making the sound softer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Concrete.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Higher frequency results in a higher pitch.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>T = 0.5 seconds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>587.665 Hz.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pitch is determined by the frequency of the sound wave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Loudness is indicated by the amplitude or size of the vibrations in the sound wave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Wavelength refers to the distance between two adjacent compressions or rarefactions, while period refers to the time taken for one complete wave cycle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The formula is $T = \frac{1}{f}$, where T is the period and f is the frequency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The speed of sound is primarily influenced by the type of medium, as well as factors like wind and humidity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Particles in the medium vibrate about a fixed position without traveling with the sound energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is difficult to visually discern amplitude and frequency in longitudinal waves, which is why we often use CROs for representation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One misconception is that sound is a transverse wave; it is actually a longitudinal wave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The speed of sound in solids is typically between 5,000 to 6,000 m/s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The speed of sound in liquids is slower, at about 1,500 m/s, compared to 5,000–6,000 m/s in solids.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The slowest medium for sound propagation is gas, with a speed of approximately 330 m/s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Marin Mersenne first measured the speed of sound in air in 1640 by calculating the return time of an echo.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The speed of sound can be calculated using the formula: Speed = (2 x distance) / time taken.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The speed of sound in dry air at 20°C is approximately 340 m/s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sound travels faster in solids because their particles are closely packed, facilitating rapid collisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Closer particle spacing in solids leads to faster sound propagation, while greater spacing in gases results in slower speeds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Higher temperatures increase the speed of sound because air particles vibrate faster.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In denser media, particles are more closely packed, allowing sound energy to be transferred faster.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sound requires a medium (like air or water) to propagate; it cannot travel where there are no particles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The distance to the moon is 3.75 x 10^8 meters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The velocity of sound in air is 320 m/s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A shorter and thinner string vibrates faster, producing a higher pitch when plucked.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased energy input results in a louder sound volume.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>When wind blows in the same direction as sound travel, it increases the speed of sound energy transfer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A stiffer or denser medium makes the sound louder.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The shape of the wave form determines a sound's timbre.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Infrasound comprises sounds in the 20-200 Hz range.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mountain climbers use echo to measure distance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>SONAR is used to detect underwater objects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ultrasound produces images, such as a foetus in a mother's womb.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Animals can sense low infrasonic noises before disasters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tilly observed the water bubbling like on top of a beer.</p> Signup and view all the answers