SOUND
1. What is Sound?
• Sound is a form of energy that produces the sensation of hearing in our ears.
• It is produced due to vibrations of objects.
2. How is Sound Produced? (Sound and Vibrations)
• Sound is produced when an object vibrates (moves to and fro rapidly).
• Example:
o A plucked guitar string vibrates and produces sound.
o A beating drum produces sound because its membrane vibrates.
• If vibrations stop, sound also stops.
3. Sources of Sound
Any vibrating object is a source of sound.
Examples:
• Human voice (vocal cords)
• Musical instruments (guitar, flute, drum)
• Tuning fork
• Loudspeakers
• Machines and vehicles
4. Why Does Sound Need a Medium to Travel?
• Sound cannot travel in a vacuum.
• It requires a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate.
• Sound travels by transferring vibrations from one particle of the medium to
another.
5. Types of Waves
(a) Transverse Waves
• Particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
• Have crests and troughs.
• Example: Waves on the surface of water.
• Sound waves are NOT transverse waves.
(b) Longitudinal Waves
• Particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel.
• Consist of:
o Compressions – regions of high pressure
o Rarefactions – regions of low pressure
• Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
6. Important Terms Related to Waves
• Amplitude: Maximum displacement of a particle from its mean position. It is
measured in metre (m).
• Wavelength (λ): Distance between two successive compressions or
rarefactions or the length of one wave. It is measured in metres (m).
• Frequency (f): Number of vibrations per second.
o Unit: Hertz (Hz)
• Time Period (T): Time taken for one vibration.
• Speed of Wave (v): V= f x λ
(Velocity = frequency x wavelength)
7. Audible, Ultrasonic, and Infrasonic Sound
• Audible Sound:
o Frequency range: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
o Can be heard by humans.
• Ultrasonic Sound:
o Frequency greater than 20,000 Hz
o Used in medical imaging and by bats and dolphins.
• Infrasonic Sound:
o Frequency less than 20 Hz
o Produced by earthquakes, volcanoes, and elephants.
8. Characteristics of Sound
(a) Loudness
• Depends on the amplitude of vibration.
• Greater amplitude → louder sound.
• Measured in decibels (dB).
(b) Pitch
• Depends on the frequency of sound.
• Higher frequency → higher pitch.
• Example:
o Female voice usually has a higher pitch than a male voice.
9. Speed of Sound
• Speed of sound is the distance traveled by sound per second.
• Depends on:
o Nature of the medium
o Temperature (in air)
10. Speed of Sound in Different Media
• Sound travels at different speeds in different media:
o Fastest in solids
o Slower in liquids
o Slowest in gases
• Approximate values:
o Air: 340 m/s
o Water: 1500 m/s
o Steel: 5000 m/s
11. Reflection of Sound
• When sound strikes a hard surface and bounces back, it is called reflection
of sound.
12. Echo
• An echo is the repetition of sound due to reflection.
13. Absorption of Sound
• When sound energy is absorbed by soft materials, loudness decreases.
• Soft and porous materials absorb sound better.
Examples:
• Curtains
• Carpets
• Foam panels
• Used in auditoriums and recording studios to reduce noise.
Quick Summary
• Sound is produced by vibrations.
• It needs a medium to travel.
• Sound waves are longitudinal.
• Loudness depends on amplitude, pitch on frequency.
• Sound reflects to produce echoes.
• Soft materials absorb sound.