Class 9 Physics: Sound
Chapter Notes
1 Production and Propagation of Sound
1.1 Production of Sound
Sound is a form of energy which produces a sensation of hearing in our ears.
Definition
Sound is produced by vibrating objects. Vibration is the rapid to and fro motion of an
object.
Examples: Vibrating vocal cords in humans, vibrating strings in a guitar, vibrating air column
in a flute.
1.2 Propagation of Sound
Sound needs a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel. It cannot travel through a
vacuum.
• When an object vibrates, it sets the particles of the medium around it vibrating.
• The particles do not travel all the way from the source to the ear; they simply oscillate back
and forth about their positions of rest.
2 Sound Waves as Longitudinal Waves
Sound propagates through air as a Longitudinal Wave.
Longitudinal Wave
A wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth in the same direction
in which the wave is moving.
A longitudinal wave consists of:
• Compression (C): A region of high pressure and high density where particles are crowded
together.
• Rarefaction (R): A region of low pressure and low density where particles are spread apart.
1
Direction of Propagation
C R C R C
Fig 1: Longitudinal wave showing Compressions (C) and Rarefactions (R)
3 Characteristics of a Sound Wave
Sound waves can be described by their Wavelength, Frequency, Amplitude, Time Period, and
Speed.
Density / Pressure
Wavelength (λ)
Amplitude (A)
Trough
Distance / Time
Crest
Fig 2: Graphical Representation of Sound Wave
1. Wavelength (λ): The distance between two consecutive compressions (C) or two consec-
utive rarefactions (R). SI Unit: Meter (m).
2. Frequency (ν or f ): The number of complete oscillations (or waves) produced in one sec-
ond. SI Unit: Hertz (Hz).
3. Time Period (T ): The time taken to complete one oscillation. SI Unit: Second (s).
1
T =
ν
4. Amplitude (A): The maximum displacement of the particles of the medium from their
mean positions. It determines the loudness of sound.
5. Speed (v): The distance traveled by a wave in one second.
Wave Equation
Speed = Wavelength × Frequency
v = λν
4 Reflection of Sound
Sound bounces off a solid or liquid surface like a rubber ball bounces off a wall.
2
4.1 Laws of Reflection
1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
2. The incident sound, the reflected sound, and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in
the same plane.
4.2 Echo
A repetition of sound caused by the reflection of sound waves is called an Echo.
• To hear a distinct echo, the time interval between the original sound and the reflected
sound must be at least 0.1 seconds.
• Minimum distance required for echo (in air at 22◦ C): ≈ 17.2 meters.
4.3 Reverberation
The repeated reflection that results in the persistence of sound in a closed hall is called rever-
beration. It is reduced by using sound-absorbing materials (curtains, fiberboard).
5 Range of Hearing
Type Frequency Range
Audible Sound 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). Example: Humans.
Infrasonic Sound Below 20 Hz. Example: Rhinoceros, Whales, Elephants,
Earthquakes.
Ultrasonic Sound Above 20,000 Hz. Example: Bats, Dolphins, Porpoises.
6 Applications of Ultrasound
• Cleaning parts located in hard-to-reach places (spiral tubes).
• Detecting cracks and flaws in metal blocks.
• Echocardiography: Imaging the heart.
• Ultrasonography: Examining internal organs.
• SONAR (Sound Navigation And Ranging).
6.1 SONAR
SONAR uses ultrasonic waves to measure the distance, direction, and speed of underwater ob-
jects.
Speed of sound in water(v) × Time taken(t)
Distance(d) =
2