Sound Class 9 Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What are longitudinal waves?
Answer:
A wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth in the ‘same direction’ in which
the wave is moving, is called as a longitudinal wave.

Question 2.
What are transverse waves?
Answer:
A wave in which the particles of the medium, vibrate up and down ‘at right angle’ to the direction in
which the wave is moving, is called a transverse wave.

Question 3.
Define wavelength. What is its symbol and its SI unit?
Answer:
The distance between two consecutive compressions (C) or two consecutive rarefactions (R) is called
the wavelength. The wavelength is denoted by (Greek letter ‘lambda’). Its SI unit is the metre (m).

Question 4.
Define frequency. What is its symbol and its SI unit?
Answer:
The number of complete waves (or cycles) produced per second is called a frequency of sound
waves. It is denoted by f. The SI unit of frequency is hertz (Hz).

Question 5.
What is one hertz?
Answer:
A vibrating body producing 1 wave per second is said to have a frequency of 1 Hz.

Question 6.
Define amplitude. What is its symbol and its SI unit?
Answer:
The magnitude of the maximum disturbance in the medium on either side of the mean value is
called the amplitude of wave. It is denoted by A. The SI unit is the metre (m).

Question 7.
What is ‘audible’ sound?
Answer:
The sound which we are able to hear is called ‘audible’ sound. The audible range of sound for human
beings extends from about 20 Hz to 20000 Hz.

Question 8.
What do you mean by an echo?
Answer:
The repetition of sound caused by the reflection of sound waves is called an ‘echo’.

Question 9.
What do you understand by the terms “compression” and rarefaction?
Answer:
A region of high pressure of a medium when a sound wave travels through it is called compression.
A region of low pressure of a medium when a sound wave travels through it is called rarefaction.

Question 10.
What do you understand by the pitch of a sound?
Answer:
Pitch of a sound is the characteristic of sound that depends on the frequency received by a human
ear.

Question 11.
What do you understand by the loudness of sound?
Answer:
The amplitude of the vibrating body determines the loudness of the sound. Larger the amplitude of
vibration, larger the loudness of the sound produced.

Question 12.
Define the characteristic “timbre” or “quality” of a sound.
Answer:
Quality or timbre is a characteristic of a sound which enables us to distinguish between two sounds
of the same loudness and pitch.

Question 13.
What is Sonar?
Answer:
Sonar is a device that uses ultrasonic wave to measure the distance, direction and speed of the
underwater object.

Question 14.
What is Echocardiography?
Answer:
The technique of obtaining images of the heart by using the reflection of ultrasonic waves from
various parts of the heart is called echocardiography.

Question 15.
What is ultrasonography?
Answer:
The technique of obtaining images of internal organs of the body by using echoes of ultrasonic waves
is called ultrasonography.

Question 16.
What is a stethoscope?
Answer:
The stethoscope is a medical instrument used for listening sounds produced within the body, chiefly
in the heart or lungs.

Question 17.
What are infrasonic waves?
Answer:
The waves of frequency less than 20 Hz are called infrasonic waves.

Question 18.
What is ultrasound?
Answer:
The waves of frequency greater than 20,000 Hz are called ultrasonic waves or ultrasound.

Question 19.
Speed of sound is more on a hotter day. Explain why.
Answer:
Speed of sound increases with increase in temperature.

Question 20.
WrIte down the SI unit of (i) frequency (ii) wavelength.
Answer:
SI unit of wavelength is m and frequency is Hz.

Sound Class 9 Extra Questions Numericals

Question 1.
The sound produced by a thunderstorm is heard 10 s after the lightning is seen. Calculate the
approximate distance of the thunder cloud. (Given the speed of sound = 340 ms’).
Ans. Given, t = 10 s
υ = 340 m/s
distance, x = υ x t = 340 x 10 = 3400 m.

Question 2.
What is the frequency of wave with time period 0.025 s?
Answer:
Given, t = 0.025 s
frequency, v = 1t=10.025 = 40 Hz.

Sound Class 9 Extra Questions Short Answer Type 1

Question 1.
What is sound? When is the sound produced? Give examples.
Answer:
The sensation felt by our ears is called sound. A sound is a form of energy which makes us hear.
When an object is set into vibrations, the sound is produced. For example, the vibrating diaphragm of
a drum produces sound, the vibrating string of a guitar produces sound, the vibrating diaphragm of
speakers of a radio produce sound, the vibrating end of a drilling machine produces sound, etc.

Question 2.
State the conditions to hear an echo.
Answer:
The conditions to hear an echo are:

1. Echo can be heard only if it is produced at least 110 th of a second (0.1 s) after the original sound.

2. The speed of sound in air is 344 m/s. Let us calculate the minimum distance from the reflecting
surface, which is necessary to hear an echo.
∴ Distance travelled = 344 x 110 = 34.4 metres
Thus, the distance travelled by the sound in 110 th of a second is 34.4 m. This means that the
minimum distance between the source of the sound and the listeners should be 17.2 metres.

3. Echo can be heard only if the reflecting surface is large.

Question 3.
Bats search out prey and fly in the dark night by emitting ultrasound. Explain.
Answer:
Bats search out prey and fly in the dark night by emitting and detecting reflections of ultrasonic
waves. The high-pitched ultrasonic squeaks of the bat are reflected from the obstacles or prey and
returned to bat’s ear. The nature of reflections tells the bat where the obstacle or prey is and what it
is like.

Question 4.
Mention one advantage and one disadvantage of reverberation.
Answer:
A certain amount of reverberation improves the quality of sound of orchestral and choral music.
However excessive reverberation makes the speech or music indistinct.

Question 5.
How does a megaphone works?
Answer:
A megaphone works on the principle of reflection of sound. In this instrument, a tube followed by a
conical opening reflects sound successively to guide most of the sound from the source in the
forward direction towards the audience.

Sound Class 9 Extra Questions Numericals

Question 1.
If the velocity of sound in air is 340 ms-1. Calculate
1. wavelength when the frequency is 256 Hz.
2. frequency when the wavelength is 0.85 m.
Answer:
Given,
velocity of sound, υ = 340 m/s
1. v = 256 Hz
using, υ = λ v
λ = υλ = 340256 = 1.33m

2. λ = 0.85
using, u = λv
λ = υλ = 3400.85 = 400Hz
Question 2.
30 waves pass through a point in 3 seconds. If the distance between two crests is 2 m. Calculate
(a) frequency
(b) wavelength.
Answer:
30 waves in 3 seconds

∴ λ = 2m.
υ = 303 = 10Hz

Sound Class 9 Extra Questions Short Answer Type 2

Question 1.
What is the reflection of sound? State the laws of reflection.
Answer:
The bouncing back of sound from a hard surface is called a reflection of sound. The laws of reflection
are:
1. The incident sound wave, the reflected sound wave and the normal at the point of incidence, all lie
in the same plane.
2. The angle of incidence of sound is always equal to the angle of reflection of sound.

Question 2.
On what factor does the speed of sound depend?
Answer:
The speed of sound depends upon the following:

 The nature of the material (or medium) through which it travels. In general, sound travels
fastest in solids, slower in liquids and slowest in gases.

 The humidity of the air. As the humidity of air increases, sound travels faster. Sound has
more speed in humid air than in dry air.

 The temperature. The speed of sound in air at 0°C is 332 m/s whereas at 20°C, it is 344 m/s.
Thus, as the temperature rises, the speed of sound also increases.

Question 3.
Write a note on ‘ultrasonic sounds’.
Answer:

 The sounds of frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz are known as ‘ultrasonic sounds’ (or
just‘ultrasounds’).

 Human beings cannot hear ultrasonic sounds. Children under the age of five and some
animals, such as dogs can hear sounds up to 25,000 Hz.

 As people grow older, their hearing sensation for higher frequencies becomes weaker.

 Ultrasonic sounds are used by dolphins, bats and porpoises to navigate in dark and to catch
their prey.

 Some moths can hear high-frequency ultrasonic squeaks of the bat and know when a bat is
flying nearby and are able to escape capture. Rats also play games by producing ultrasound.

Question 4.
Write three differences between transverse and longitudinal waves.
Answer:
Transverse waves:

 In the transverse waves, the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction
of wave motion.

 These waves travel in the form of alternate crest and trough.

 These waves can be transmitted through solid or liquid surfaces.

Longitudinal waves:

 In longitudinal waves, the particles of the medium vibrate along the direction of wave
motion.

 These waves travel in the form of alternate compression and rarefactions.

 These waves can be transmitted through all the three types of media viz., solid, liquid and
gases.

Question 5.
Write down three differences between a sound wave and lightwave.
Answer:
Sound wave:

 It travels in the form of longitudinal waves.

 It requires a medium for its propagation.

 It travels through air with a speed of 332 propagation. m/s at 0°C.

Lightwave:

 It travels in the form of a transverse wave.

 It does not require a medium for its propagation.

 It travels through air with a speed of nearly 3 x 108 m/s.

Sound Class 9 Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1.
State three applications of reflection of sound.
Answer:
1. Megaphone and a bulb horn: Megaphones or loudhailers, horns, musical instruments such as
trumpets and she Hana is, are all designed to send sound in a particular direction without spreading
it in all directions, as shown in the figure. In these instruments, a tube followed by a conical opening
reflects sound successively to guide most of the sound waves from the source in the forward
direction towards the audience.

2. Stethoscope: Stethoscope is a medical instrument used for listening to sounds produced within
the body, chiefly in the heart or lungs. In stethoscopes, the sound of the patient’s heartbeat reaches
the doctor’s ears by multiple reflections of sound, as shown in the figure.

3. Soundboard: Generally the ceiling of concert halls, conference halls and cinema halls are curved so
that sound after reflection reaches all corners of the hall, as shown in the figure. Sometimes a curved
soundboard may be placed behind the stage so that the sound, after reflecting from the soundboard,
spreads evenly across the width of the hail (Fig).

Question 2.
State the applications of ultrasound.
Answer:
Ultrasounds are high-frequency waves. Ultrasounds are able to travel along well-defined paths even
in the presence of obstacles. Ultrasounds are used extensively in industries and for medical
purposes.

1. Ultrasound is generally used to clean parts located in hard-to-reach places, for example, spiral
tube, odd-shaped parts, electronic components, etc. Objects to be cleaned are placed in a cleaning
solution and ultrasonic waves are sent into the solution. Due to high frequency, the particles of dust,
grease and dirt get detached and drop out. The objects thus get thoroughly cleaned.

2. Ultrasounds can be used to detect cracks and flaws in metal blocks. Metallic components are
generally used in the construction of big structures like buildings, bridges, machines and also
scientific equipment. The cracks or holes inside the metal blocks, which are invisible from outside
reduces the strength of the structure.

Ultrasonic waves are allowed to pass through the metal block and detectors are used to detect the
transmitted waves. If there is even a small defect, the ultrasound gets reflected back indicating the
presence of the flaw or defect.

3. Ultrasonic waves are made to reflect from various parts of the heart and form the image of the
heart. This technique is called ‘echocardiography’.

4. An ultrasound scanner is an instrument which uses ultrasonic waves from getting images of
internal organs of the human body. A doctor may image the patient’s organs such as liver, gall
bladder, uterus, kidney, etc. It helps the doctor to detect abnormalities, such as stones in the gall
bladder and kidney or tumours in different organs.

In this technique, the ultrasonic waves travel through the tissues of the body and get reflected from a
region where there is a change of tissue density. These waves are then converted into electrical
signals that are used to generate images of the
organ.

These images are then displayed on a monitor or printed on a film. This technique is called
‘ultrasonography’. Ulträsonography is also used for examination of the foetus during pregnancy to
detect congenital defects and growth abnormalities.

5. Ultrasound may be employed to break small ‘stones’ formed in the kidneys into fine grains. These
grains later get flushed out with urine.

Sound Class 9 Extra Questions HOTS

Question 1.
Why do we hear the sound produced by the humming bees while the sound of vibrations of a
pendulum is not heard?
Answer:
This is because the frequency of the sound produced by humming bees lies in audible range and
frequency of the sound of vibrations of pendulum lies in the infrasonic region.

Question 2.
Sounds of same loudness and pitch but produced by different musical instruments like a violin and
flute are distinguishable.
Answer:
It is the quality of sound which enables us to distinguish between two sounds of the same loudness
and pitch.

Question 3.
Which of the two graphs (a) and (b) shown in the figure below represents the human voice is likely to
be the male voice? Give a reason for your answer. (NCERT Exemplar)
Answer:
Graph a represents the male voice because the frequency of male voice is less than that of the
female voice.

Question 4.
The given graph (Fig.) shows the displacement versus time relation for a disturbance travelling with
velocity 1500 ms-1. Calculate the wavelength of the disturbance. (NCERT Exemplar)

Answer:
Here, frequency, u = 1T
T = 2 ms = 2 x 10-6 s
Hence υ = 12×10−6 = 5 x 105 Hz
using relation, λ. = vv=15005×105 = 3 x 10-2 m

Question 5.
For hearing the loudest ticking sound heard by the ear, find the angle x in the Figure. (NCERT
Exemplar)

Answer:
Here angle of incidence,
i = 90° – 50° = 40°
Angle of incidence (i) or Angle of reflection (x)
x = i = 40°.

Sound Class 9 Extra Questions Value Based (VBQs)

Question 1.
Sumeet went to a hill station with his parents and elder sister Kirti. He was experiencing the scenic
beauty of a hill station for the first time. One day they were walking in a forest area, Sumeet loudly
called out ‘Kirti Didi’. He was surprised that he could distinctly hear the same sound twice. He
discussed this with his sister and she explained the reason behind this echo.
Answer:
(a) The repetition of sound caused by the reflection of sound waves is called an echo.
(b) Kirti is intelligent and helpful.

Question 2.
Tinku studies in class 9th. Once he was suffering from cold and cough and was running a high
temperature. His mother took him to a doctor. The doctor examined the chest and back of Tinku with
the help of a device ‘stethoscope’. While examining with stethoscope doctor asked Tinku to take
longer breaths. After examining Tinku, the doctor prescribed some drugs.

By regular use of these drugs, Tinku was normal within four days. But he could not understand the
purpose of being examined by the use of a stethoscope. During winter break his cousin Honey, who
was studying in a medical college, visited their place. On the request of Tinku, Honey explained the
purpose of the stethoscope and its action.
(a) What is a stethoscope?
(b) What quality was shown by Honey?
Answer:
(a) The stethoscope is a medical instrument used for listening to sounds produced within the body,
chiefly in the heart or lungs.
(b) Honey is intelligent and helpful.

Question 3.
On a hot summer afternoon, a man was shouting through a megaphone. He was ‘zip-repairer’. As
Arshi was preparing for her examination, she got disturbed. She inquired her father about the
instrument being used by the ‘zip-repairer’. The father told her that it was a megaphone also known
as ‘loud hailer’.
(a) State the principle on which the megaphone works.
(b) Why did Arshi get disturbed?
Answer:
(a) Megaphone works on the principle of multiple reflections.
(b) Arshi got disturbed by noise pollution.

Question 4.
Reena’s grandmother took her mother to a doctor as she was four months pregnant for
ultrasonography. But she showed her interest in determining whether the child is a boy or a girl. The
doctor was annoyed and refused to disclose the gender of the child.
(a) What is ultrasonography?
(b) Write down the values shown by the doctor.
Answer:
(a) The technique of obtaining images of internal organs of the body by using echoes of ultrasound
waves is called ultrasonography.
(b) A Doctor is a law-abiding person.

Q.1. The minimum distance in which a sound wave repeats itself is called _____.

(a) frequency

(b) amplitude

(c) wavelength

(d) time period

Q.2. Identify the correct representation of the audible range for human beings?

(a) 2 kHz – 20 kHz

(b) 0.02 kHz – 20 kHz

(c) 0.2 kHz – 20 kHz

(d) 0.02 kHz – 2 kHz

Q.3. The frequency of a sound wave

(a) is a characteristic of the source of sound.

(b) decreases if the amplitude of the wave increases.

(c) increases if the amplitude of the wave increases.

(d) depends on the nature of the medium in which the wave propagates.

Q.4. A mechanical wave can propagate

(a) Through a gas

(b) without a material medium

(c) through a liquid.

(d) Both (a) and (c)

Q.5. The SI unit of frequency is _____.

(a) s-1

(b) Hertz

(c) m-1

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Q.6. A mechanical wave can travel

(a) in a material medium but not in vacuum

(b) in vacuum but not in a material medium,

(c) both in vacuum and a material medium.

(d) neither in a material medium nor in vacuum.

Q.7. Amplitude of a sound wave indicates

(a) the distance travelled by the wave in one second.

(b) the distance between two vibrating particles which are in phase.

(c) the distance between a compression and an adjacent rarefaction.

(d) the maximum displacement of a particle in either side of its mean position.

Q.8. Which of the following is a mechanical wave?

(a) Radiowave

(b) A sound wave travelling in air

(c) A light wave travelling in air

(d) Microwave

Q.9. The SI unit of wavelength is _________.

(a) m-1

(b) m-2

(c) cm-1

(d) m

Q.10. What is the full form of SONAR?

(a) Sound Navigation and Ranging

(b) Sound Noise and Ranging

(c) Sound Navigation and Ringing

(d) None of these

Q.11. The loudness of a sound is

(a) directly proportional to amplitude of vibration.

(b) inversely proportional to amplitude of vibrations.

(c) directly proportional to square of the amplitude of vibration.

(d) inversely proportional to square of the amplitude of vibration.

Q.12. Identify the one that represents an ultrasonic frequency from the following.

(a) 5 kHz

(b) 12 kHz

(c) 18 kHz

(d) 24 kHz

Q.13. In a mechanical wave,

(a) a disturbance propagates through a medium.

(b) medium particles carry energy from one place to another place.

(c) medium particles vibrate in random directions.

(d) medium particles do not move from their mean positions.

Q.14. The part of the human ear that vibrates when sound from an external source incident on it is
called

(a) tympanic membrane

(b) pinna

(c) cochlea

(d) anvil

Q.15. Identify the quantities which determine the pitch of a sound?

(a) Velocity

(b) Wavelength

(c) Time period

(d) Frequency
Answer Key for Class 9 Science Chapter 12 Sound MCQs

Q. Ans Q. Ans

1 (c) 9 (d)

2 (b) 10 (a)

3 (a) 11 (c)

4 (d) 12 (d)

5 (d) 13 (a)

6 (a) 14 (a)

7 (d) 15 (d)

8 (b)

Q1. The sound can travel in air when:

(a) Particles of medium travel from one place to another
(b) There is no moisture in the atmosphere
(c) Disturbance travel from one place to another
(d) Both particles as well as disturbance travel from one place to another

Answer/ Explanation

(c) Disturbance travel from one place to another

Q2. We can distinguish between a man’s voice and a woman’s voice of the same loudness even
without seeing them. This is due to a characteristic of sound which measures the shrillness of
sounds. Can you choose the correct unit of the quantity on which this characteristic of sound
depends?
(a) hertz
(b) meter/second
(c) meter
(d) unitless

Answer/ Explanation

(a) hertz

Q3. A key of mechanical piano is first struck gently and then struck again but much harder this time.
What kind of change in sound will you observe in the second case:
(a) Sound will be louder but the pitch will not be different
(b) Sound will be louder and the pitch will also be higher
(c) Sound will be louder but the pitch will be lower
(d) Both loudness and pitch will remain unaffected

Answer/ Explanation

(c) Sound will be louder but the pitch will be lower

Q4. The echo-receiver of a sonar attached to a ship, receives the echo from the bottom of sea 4
seconds after the ultrasonic waves were sent into the sea.

If the speed of sound in water is 1500 m/s, then what is the depth of the sea?
(a) 6000 m
(b) 3000 m
(c) 15000 m
(d) 3500 m

Answer/ Explanation

(b) 3000 m

Q5. Before the main shock waves, the earthquake produces the characteristic sound waves which
some animals like rhinoceros can hear. Can you guess the kind of sound waves produced here?
(a) Infrasonic sounds
(b) Ultrasonic sounds
(c) Audible Sounds
(d) None of these

Answer/ Explanation

(a) Infrasonic sounds

Q6. Given below is the diagram of human ear. Choose the correct labeling of the parts A, B and C.

(a) A-ear lobe, B-ear canal, C-auditory nerve

(b) A-ear drum, B-auditory nerve, c-ear canal
(c) A-ear canal, B-Eustachian tube, C-auditory nerve
(d) A-ear canal, B-Eustachian tube, C-cochlea

Answer/ Explanation

(c) A-ear canal, B-Eustachian tube, C-auditory nerve

Q7. On increasing the temperature, the speed of sound in air:

(a) Increases
(b) Decreases
(c) Does not change
(d) First increases then becomes constant

Answer/ Explanation

(a) Increases

Q8. Loudness measures the sound energy reaching the ear per second and depends on the
amplitude of the sound wave. What is the unit used to measure the loudness of sound?
(a) hertz
(b) decibel
(c) meter/second
(d) second

Answer/ Explanation

(b) decibel