SOUND - Class 9
Physical Science
Introduction
Sound is a form of energy that produces the sensation of hearing. It is produced due to vibrations of objects and
travels through a material medium such as solids, liquids, or gases. Sound plays an important role in
communication, music, medicine, and technology.
Production of Sound
• Sound is produced when an object vibrates.
• Vibrating objects make the surrounding medium vibrate.
• Examples:
o A plucked guitar string
o A struck tuning fork
o Human vocal cords
Propagation of Sound
• Sound needs a material medium to travel.
• It cannot travel in vacuum.
• Sound travels in the form of waves through the medium.
Sound as a Mechanical Wave
• Sound waves are mechanical waves because they require a medium.
• In sound waves, particles of the medium do not move forward permanently; they only vibrate about their
mean position.
Longitudinal Nature of Sound Waves
• Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
• The direction of vibration of particles is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.
Compression and Rarefaction
• Compression (C): Region of high pressure and density.
• Rarefaction (R): Region of low pressure and density.
• A sound wave consists of alternate compressions and rarefactions.
Characteristics of a Sound Wave
1. Amplitude (A)
• Maximum displacement of particles from their mean position.
• Determines the loudness of sound.
• Greater amplitude → louder sound.
2. Wavelength (λ)
• Distance between two consecutive compressions or rarefactions.
• Measured in metre (m).
3. Frequency (f)
• Number of vibrations per second.
• Measured in hertz (Hz).
• Determines the pitch of sound.
4. Time Period (T)
• Time taken for one complete vibration.
• Relation:
T=1/f
5. Velocity of Sound (v)
• Distance travelled by sound per second.
• Relation:
v=f×λ
Speed of Sound
• Speed of sound depends on:
o Nature of medium
o Temperature
o Humidity (in air)
Speed in Different Media
• Solids > Liquids > Gases
• Approximate speed in air at 25°C: 346 m/s
Audible and Inaudible Sounds
Audible Sound
• Frequency range: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
• Can be heard by human beings.
Infrasonic Sound
• Frequency less than 20 Hz
• Produced by earthquakes, elephants, and whales.
Ultrasonic Sound
• Frequency greater than 20,000 Hz
• Used in medical and industrial applications.
Reflection of Sound
• Sound follows the laws of reflection similar to light.
• Applications:
o Echo
o Sound boards
o Stethoscope
Echo
• Repetition of sound due to reflection.
• Minimum distance required to hear an echo in air is about 17 m.
Reverberation
• Persistence of sound due to multiple reflections in an enclosed space.
• Excessive reverberation makes sound unclear.
• Reduced using:
o Curtains
o Carpets
o Acoustic panels
Range of Hearing in Different Animals
• Humans: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Dogs: Can hear ultrasonic sounds
• Bats and dolphins: Use ultrasonic sounds for navigation (echolocation)
Applications of Ultrasound
1. Medical Uses
• Ultrasonography
• Echocardiography
• Detecting kidney stones
2. Industrial Uses
• Detecting cracks in metal blocks
• Cleaning delicate machine parts
3. SONAR
• Sound Navigation and Ranging
• Used to measure sea depth and locate underwater objects
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