Chapter 12

Sound

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Students will be able to:

• understand sound.
• understand the transmission of sound
• understand that sound cannot travel through vacuum
• perform an activity to show sound needs a medium to travel
• distinguish between longitudinal and transverse wave
• know the following characteristics of a sound wave:
Wavelength, Amplitude, Frequency, Time period, Speed
• derive speed = wavelength x frequency
• compare speed of sound and speed of light
• understand reflection of sound
• know the laws of reflection of sound
• define Echo
• know the meaning of reverberation
• understand various methods to reduce reverberation
• understand the range of hearing in humans
• distinguish between infrasound and ultrasound
• know the various applications of ultrasound
• understand the meaning of SONAR
• understand the structure of human ear
• know the various applications of multiple reflection of sound
• Loudhailers or megaphones
• Stethoscope
• Ceilings of concert halls, conference halls and cinema halls

 Sound is a form of energy which produces a sensation of hearing in our ears.

 Sound is produced due to vibrations of a body or an object
 Vibration is the rapid to and fro motion of an object.
Eg :-a) The sound of human voice is produced due to the vibration of the vocal cords.
b) A stretched rubber band when plucked vibrates and produces sound
c) Prongs of tuning fork when struck on rubber pad vibrates and produces sound

Propagation of sound
(i) When an object vibrates, it sets the particles of the medium around it vibrating.
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(ii) The particles of the medium in contact with the vibrating object is first displaced from its equilibrium
position
(iii) It then exerts a force on the adjacent particle.
(iv) As a result of which the adjacent particle gets displaced from its position of rest. After displacing the
adjacent particle, the first particle comes back to its original position.
This process continues in the medium till the sound reaches our ear.

The particles of the medium do not move forward themselves but the disturbance is carried forward.

Wave: A wave is a disturbance that moves through a medium when the particles of the
medium set neighbouring particles into motion.

Propagation of sound through air

Air is the most common medium through which sound travels.

(i) When a vibrating object moves forward, it pushes and compresses the air in front of it forming a region of
high pressure called compression (C). The compression moves away from the vibrating object.

(ii) When the vibrating object moves backward, it forms a region of low pressure called rarefaction (R).

(iiI) As the object moves to and fro rapidly, it produces a series of compressions and rarefaction in the air
which makes the sound to propagate in the medium.

Fig: A vibrating object producing a series of compressions (C) and rarefaction (R)

Sound needs a medium to travel

Sound is a mechanical wave and needs a medium for propagation. Sound travels through solids, liquids and
gases. Sound does not travel in vacuum.

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 Activity – sound needs a medium to travel
Construction
Take an electric bell and an airtight glass bell jar. The electric bell is suspended inside the air tight bell jar. The
bell jar is connected to a vacuum pump.

Working(i) When we press the switch of electric bell, we will be able to hear the sound of the bell.
(ii)Now start the vacuum pump
Observations
(i) When the air in the jar is pumped out gradually the sound becomes fainter.
(ii) After sometime when less air is left inside the bell jar, we will hear a very feeble sound.
(iii) If the air is removed completely no sound will be heard.

Q1. Suppose you and your friend are on the moon. Will you be able to hear any sound produced by your
friend? (NCERT Page 163 Q3)
Ans. Sound needs a medium to propagate. Since the moon is devoid of any atmosphere, we cannot hear any
sound on the moon

Difference between transverse and longitudinal waves

Transverse waves Longitudinal waves

The particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the The particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the
direction of wave propagation. direction of wave propagation.

The wave is propagated in the form of crests and troughs The wave is propagated in the form of compressions and
rarefactions
Eg: Light waves Eg: Sound waves

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Characteristics of a sound wave

Sound can be graphically represented as a wave.

Wavelength (λ)
The distance between two consecutive compressions (crests) or two consecutive rarefactions (troughs) is
called wavelength. It is represented by the symbol λ (Greek letter lambda). Its SI unit is metre (m).

Amplitude (A)
The magnitude of the maximum disturbance in the medium on either side of the mean position is the
amplitude of the sound wave. S.I unit is m.
Or
The amplitude of sound wave is the height of the crest or trough.

Frequency of sound wave (٧)

The number of oscillations per unit time is called the frequency of the sound wave.
or
The number of waves passing through a point of medium in one second is called frequency of the wave
It is represented by the symbol ٧ (Greek letter nu).
Its SI unit is hertz (Hz).

Time period of sound wave (T)

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The time taken by a wave to travel a distance equal to its wavelength is called the time period of a wave.
Or
The time taken for one complete oscillation in the density of the medium is called the time period of the
sound wave.

The SI unit is second (s).

Frequency and time are represented as follows:

T =1 or ٧=1
٧ T

Pitch and loudness of sound

The pitch of sound (shrillness) depends on the frequency of vibration.

The loudness of sound depends upon the amplitude of vibration.

Q1. The frequency of a source of sound is 100 Hz. How many times does it vibrate in a minute?
(NCERT Page 174 Q9)
Ans. Frequency is defined as the number of oscillations per second. It is given by the relation:

Number of oscillations = Frequency × Total time

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Given, Frequency of sound = 100 Hz
Total time = 1 min = 60 s
Number of oscillations/Vibrations = 100 × 60 = 6000
Hence, the source vibrates 6000 times in a minute, producing a frequency of 100 Hz.

Q2. Distinguish between tone and note.

Ans. A sound of single frequency is called a tone.
The sound which is produced due to a mixture of several frequencies is called a note.

Speed of sound
The speed of sound is different in different media. The speed of sound is more in solids, less in liquids and
least in gases.

The speed of sound also depends on the temperature of the medium. If the temperature of the medium is
more, the speed of sound is more.

The speed of wave(v) in a medium is the distance travelled by the wave per second
v = Distance travelled
Time taken
Or v=λ
T
Relationship between Speed (v), frequency (٧) and wave length(λ)
Speed = wave length x frequency
v=λx٧

Q1. Which wave property determines (a) loudness, (b) pitch? (NCERT Page 166 Q1)
Ans. a) The loudness of a sound depends on its amplitude. If the amplitude of a sound is large, then the sound
produced will also be loud.
b) The pitch of a sound depends on its frequency. A sound will be considered a high-pitched sound, if its
frequency is high.

Q2. Guess which sound has a higher pitch: guitar or car horn? (NCERT Page 166)
Ans. The frequency of the vibration of a sound produced by a guitar is greater than that produced by a car
horn. Since the pitch of a sound is proportional to its frequency, the guitar has a higher pitch than a car horn.

Q3. A wave moves a distance of 8m in 0.05s

a) Find the velocity of the wave
b) What is the wavelength if its frequency is 200Hz?
Ans. a) Velocity = Distance= 8 = 160m/s
Time 0.05
b) v = λ x ٧
⇒ λ = v = 160= 0.8m

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 ٧ 200

Q4. A person has a hearing range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. What are the typical wavelengths of sound waves in
air corresponding to these two frequencies? Take the speed of sound in air as 344 m/s.
(NCERT Page 174 Q7)
Ans. For a sound wave,
Speed = Wavelength × Frequency

Given that the speed of sound in air = 344 m/s

(i) For, = 20 Hz

(ii) For,

Hence, for humans, the wavelength range for hearing is 0.0172 m to 17.2 m.

Q5. A person is listening to a tone of 500 Hz sitting at a distance of 450 m from the source of the sound.
What is the time interval between successive compressions from the source? (NCERT Page 166 Q4)

Ans. The time interval between two successive compressions is equal to the time period of the wave. This
time period is reciprocal of the frequency of the wave and is given by the relation:

Q6. Distinguish between loudness and intensity of sound. (NCERT Page 166 Q1)
Ans. Intensity of a sound wave is defined as the amount of sound energy passing through a unit area per
second. Loudness is a measure of the response of the ear to the sound. The loudness of a sound is defined by
its amplitude. The amplitude of a sound decides its intensity, which in turn is perceived by the ear as loudness.

Q7. Which characteristics of the sound helps you to identify your friend by his voice while sitting with others
in a dark room? (NCERT Page 174 Q5)
Ans. Quality of sound is that characteristic which helps us identify a particular person. Sound produced by two
persons may have the same pitch and loudness, but the quality of the two sounds will be different.

Q8. Flash and thunder are produced simultaneously. But thunder is heard a few seconds after the flash is
seen, why? (NCERT Page 174 Q6)
Ans. The speed of sound (344m/s at 22° C) is less than the speed of light (3 x 108m/s). Sound of thunder takes
more time to reach the Earth as compared to light. Hence, a flash is seen before we hear a thunder.

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Q9. Two children are at opposite ends of an aluminium rod. One strikes the end of the rod with a stone.
Find the ratio of times taken by the sound wave in air and in aluminium to reach the second child.
(NCERT Page 174 Q8)
Ans. Let the length of the aluminium rod be d.

Speed of sound wave in aluminium at 25°C,

Therefore, time taken by the sound wave to reach the other end,

Speed of sound wave in air at 25°C,

Therefore, time taken by sound wave to reach the other end,

The ratio of time taken by the sound wave in air and aluminium:

HW Questions
Q1. (NCERT Page 166 Ex 12.1)
Q2. (NCERT Page 166 Q2)
Q3. (NCERT Page 166 Q3)
Q4. (NCERT Page 167 Q1)
Q5. A radio station is transmitting its signals at a frequency 400 Mhz. If the velocity of radio waves is 3x108
m/s, Calculate the wavelength of radio waves. (Ans: 0.75m)

Reflection of sound
Like light, sound gets reflected at the surface of a solid or liquid and follows the laws of reflection.
i) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
ii) The incident ray, the reflected ray and normal at the point of incidence all lie in the same plane.

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Echo
It is the phenomenon of repetition of sound of a source by reflection from an obstacle.

Conditions for the production of an echo

(i) The time interval between the original sound and the reflected sound must be at least 0.1 s.
(ii) Minimum distance of the obstacle from the source of sound must be 17.2 m.

Explanation:
Since, speed of sound in air is 344m/s
The distance travelled by sound in 0.I s = 344 m/s x 0.1 s = 34.4 m

So to hear an echo clearly, the minimum distance of the reflecting surface should be half this distance, that is
17.2 m.

Quick Question
Q1. An echo returned in 3 s. What is the distance of the reflecting surface from the source, given that the
speed of sound is 342 m/s? (NCERT Page 168 Q1)
Ans. Speed of sound, v = 342 m/s
Echo returns in time, t = 3 s
Distance travelled by sound = v × t = 342 × 3 = 1026 m
In the given time interval, sound has to travel a distance that is twice the distance of the reflecting surface and
the source.

Hence, the distance of the reflecting surface from the source

Q2. When a sound is reflected from a distant object, an echo is produced. Let the distance between the
reflecting surface and the source of sound production remains the same. Do you hear echo sound on a
hotter day? (NCERT Page 174 Q11)
Ans. The minimum distance (d) for the distinct echo to be heard (say 22° C) is 17.2 m as (2 d = v t = 344 x 0.1 =
34.4 m). On a hotter day, the temperature increases and the speed of sound in air also increases. For example,
at 40°C, speed of sound, i.e. 356 m/s and thus d = 17.8 m as (2 d = 356 x 0.1 = 35.6 m). Thus, no echo is heard
on the hotter day as the minimum distance now required is 17.8 m.

HW Questions
Q1. An echo returned in 2 seconds. What is the distance of the reflecting surface from the source, given that
the speed of sound is 340 m/s. (Ans: 340m)

Reverberation
The repeated reflection that results in this persistence of sound is called reverberation.
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Ways to reduce reverberation
 The roof and walls ofthe auditorium are generally covered with sound-absorbent materials like
compressed fibre board, rough plaster or draperies.
 The seat materials are also selected on the basis of their sound absorbing properties.

Uses of multiple reflection of sound

i) Megaphones, horns, musical instruments like trumpets, shehnais etc. are deigned to send sound by multiple
reflection in a particular direction without spreading in all directions.

ii) Doctors listen to sounds from the human body through a stethoscope. The sound of heartbeat reaches the
doctor’s ears bymultiple reflection.

iii) Generally the ceilings of cinema halls and auditoriums are curved
so that sound after multiple reflection reaches all parts of the hall.
Sometimes a curved sound board is placed behind the stage so that
sound after multiple reflection spreads evenly across the hall.

Range of Hearing
Human beings can hear sound frequencies between 20 Hz and 2000 Hz.

Infrasonic sound: Sound whose frequency is less than 20 Hz is called infrasonic sound. Animals like dogs,
elephants, rhinoceros, whales etc. produce and hear infrasonic sound.

Ultrasonic sound: Sound whose frequency is more than 2000 Hz is called ultrasonic sound. Animals like
dolphins, bats, rats propoises etc. produce and hear ultrasonic sound.
Bats use reflection of ultrasonic sound waves to detect an obstacle or its prey.

Uses of ultrasonic sound

i) Ultrasonic sound is used to clean objects like electronic components. The components to be cleaned are
kept in a cleaning solution and ultrasonic waves are sent into the solution. Due to the high frequency, the dirt
particles get detached from the components.
ii) Ultrasonic sound is used to detect cracks in metal blocks. Ultrasonic waves are sent through the metal
blocks and if there are cracks, the waves are reflected back and the cracks can be detected.
iii) Ultrasonic sound is used in ultra sound scanners for getting images of internal organs of the human body.
iv) Ultrasonic sound is used to break small stones formed in the kidneys into fine grains so that they are
removed through the urine

Q1. Explain how bats use ultrasound to catch a prey. (NCERT Page 175 Q17)
Ans. Bats produce high-pitched ultrasonic squeaks. These high-pitched squeaks are reflected by objects such
as preys and returned to the bat’s ear. This allows a bat to know the distance of his prey.
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HW Question
Q1. A sound wave travels at a speed of 339 m/s. If its wavelength is 1.5 cm, what is the frequency of the
wave? Will it be audible? (NCERT Page 174 Q14)

SONAR
Sonar stands for Sound Navigation And Ranging. It is a device which uses ultrasonic waves to measure
distance, direction and speed of underwater objects.

Sonar has a transmitter and a detector installed in ships. The transmitter produces ultrasonic sound waves
which travel through the water and after striking the object in the sea bed is reflected back to the detector.

The distance of the object can be calculated by knowing the speed of sound in water and the time taken
between the transmission and reception of ultrasound.

Let the time interval between transmission and reception of ultrasound signal be t and the speed of sound
through sea water be v. The total distance, 2d travelled by the ultra sound is then, 2d = v x t

or d = v x t
2

The SONAR technique is used to determine the depth of the sea and to locate under water hills, valleys,
submarines, icebergs, sunken ships etc.

Q1. A submarine emits a sonar pulse, which returns from an underwater cliff in 1.02 s. If the speed of sound
in salt water is 1531 m/s, how far away is the cliff? (NCERT Page 172 Q1)
Ans. Time taken by the sonar pulse to return, t = 1.02 s
Speed of sound in salt water, v = 1531 m/s
Distance of the cliff from the submarine = Speed of sound × Time taken
Distance of the cliff from the submarine
Distance travelled by the sonar pulse during its transmission and reception in water = 2 × Actual distance = 2d

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Q2.A sonar device on a submarine sends out a signal and receives an echo 5 s later. Calculate the speed of
sound in water if the distance of the object from the submarine is 3625 m.
(NCERT Page 175 Q20)
Ans. Time taken to hear the echo, t = 5 s
Distance of the object from the submarine, d = 3625 m
Total distance travelled by the sonar waves during the transmission and reception in water = 2d

Velocity of sound in water,

Q3. A stone is dropped from the top of a tower 500 m high into a pond of water at the base of the tower.
When is the splash heard at the top? Given, g = 10 m/s2 and speed of sound = 340 m/s.
(NCERT Page 174 Q13)
Ans. Height of the tower, s = 500 m
Velocity of sound, v = 340 m/s
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 10 m/s2
Initial velocity of the stone, u = 0 (since the stone is initially at rest)
Time taken by the stone to fall to the base of the tower, t1
According to the second equation of motion:

Now, time taken by the sound to reach the top from the base of the tower,
Therefore, the splash is heard at the top after time, t
Where,

Q4. A construction worker’s helmet slips and falls when he is 78.4 m above the ground. He hears the sound
of the helmet hitting the ground 4.23 seconds after it slipped. Find the speed of sound on air.
Ans. We know, h = ut + 1/2 gt2
u = 0, h = 78.4, g = 9.8 m/s2
using these
t2 = 16
t=4s
time taken by the helmet reach the ground = 4 s

∴ Time taken by sound to reach the height = 4.23 – 4 = 0.23s

∴Speed of sound = 78.4 = 340.87 m/s
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 0.23

Structure of the human ear

The outer ear called pinna collects the sound waves. The sound waves passes through the ear canal to a thin
membrane called eardrum. The eardrum vibrates.

The vibrations are amplified by the three bones of the middle ear called hammer, anvil and stirrup. The
middle ear then transmits the sound waves to the inner ear.

In the inner ear the sound waves are converted into electrical signals by the cochlea and sent to the brain
through the auditory nerves. The brain then interprets the signals as sound.

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