Chapter Sound
Sound : It is a form of energy which give us the sensation of hearing.
Production of sound :
1. Sound can be produced by a vibrating body travelling through a medium as a series of compression and rarefaction
caused by the vibration of particles.
2. It can be produced by plucking, stretching, rubbing, shaking the different objects, vibrating strings , stretched
membrane and plates.
Types of wave:
Mechanical wave : These are those waves which require a Non Mechanical wave : These are those waves which do
material medium to travel. Eg sound wave not require a material medium to travel. Eg radio wave
Vibration : To and fro motion of an object is known as vibration.
Longitudinal Waves
1. A wave in which particles of medium vibrating back and forth in the same direction in which the wave is moving is called
longitudinal wave.
2. It can travel through solid , liquid and gases.
3. Alternate compression and rarefactions are formed.
4. It depends on density.
[Link]. sound waves and waves produced in a spring.
Compression : Rarefaction
1. It is the part of the longitudinal wave in which the 1. It is the part of the longitudinal wave in which the
particles are closer to one another than they normally are particles are far to one another than they normally are and
and there is a momentary reduction in the volume of there is a momentary increase in the volume of medium.
medium. 2. It is a region of low density and low pressure.
2. It is a region of high density and high pressure.
Transverse wave
1. A wave in which the particle of medium vibrate up and down at right angle to the direction in which the wave is
moving.
2. It can be produced in solid and liquid only.
3. It depends on displacement.
4. Alternate crest and trough are formed.
5. Eg. Ripples in water formed on the surface of the water and waves produced in a long string/light waves.
Note: Light waves are transverse waves but they are non-mechanical waves because the oscillation are not of the medium
particles or their density or pressure.
Crest : Trough
1. Elevation or hump in a transverse wave is called 1. Depression or hollow in a transverse wave is
crest. called trough.
2. It is above the line of zero disturbance of medium. 2. It is below the line of zero disturbance of medium.
Characteristics of wave
Wavelength : Time period:
• The minimum distance in which the sound waves
• The time taken by a consecutive compression and
repeats itself is called a wavelength.
rarefaction to cross a fixed point is called a time period of
• Its S.I. unit is m. the wave.
• It is the distance between the centre of two
consecutive compression and rarefaction or a Or
compression and rarefaction. • The time taken for one complete oscillation in the
• It is denoted by lambda λ. density of the medium is called time period of the wave.
Amplitude : • It is denoted by T
• Its S.I. unit is second.
• The maximum displacement of a particle of the
medium from their original undisturbed position when a Frequency
wave passes through the medium. • The number of waves crossing the given point of
• It is denoted by A the medium in per second.
• Its S.I. unit is m.
• It is denoted by f or (nu).
• Its S.I. unit is hertz(Hz).
• It can be calculated by f=1
T
Velocity
• It can be defined as distance travelled by a sound wave in per unit time.
• It is denoted by v.
• It is given by v= λ or fλ
T
• Its S.I unit is m/s.
Characteristics of sound wave
Intensity of sound :It is defined as amount of energy Pitch
passing per unit time per unit area in a direction • It is that characteristics of sound which help us in
perpendicular to the area. differentiating between a shrill and a flat sound.
• High pitch is called treble.
Loudness: • Low pitch is called bass.
• The sensation produced in the ear which enables • It depends on frequency.
us to distinguish between a loud and a faint sound. • Eg. A buzzing bee has high pitch and low loudness
• It is directly proportional to the square of the whereas roaring of lion has low pitch and high loudness.
amplitude .More is the amplitude louder is the sound and
vice versa.
• It depends upon the sensitivity of ear and intensity
of sound.
• It is measured in decibel(dB).
Quality or timbre :Timbre or sound quality is
that characteristics by virtue of which we can distinguish
between sounds of the same pitch and loudness produced
by two different musical instruments or voices.
Tone: A sound of single frequency.
Note :A sound which is produced due to the mixed
frequencies.