Ascent - The Education Hub
Sound – Grade 7 Science
1. Notes
Introduction
Sound is a form of energy that travels in the form of vibrations through a medium (solid, liquid,
or gas).
It helps us to communicate, hear music, and understand our surroundings.
Production of Sound
• Sound is produced by vibrating objects.
• When an object vibrates, it causes the surrounding air particles to vibrate.
• These vibrations travel in all directions as sound waves.
Examples:
• A guitar string vibrates when plucked.
•
The diaphragm of a drum vibrates when struck.
Propagation of Sound
Characteristics of Sound
1. Amplitude: Determines loudness — higher amplitude = louder sound.
2. Frequency: Number of vibrations per second (measured in Hertz, Hz). Determines pitch.
3. Time Period: Time taken to complete one vibration.
4. Wavelength: Distance between two successive compressions or rarefactions.
5. Speed: Depends on medium and temperature.
Types of Sounds
• Pleasant sound: Music
•
Unpleasant sound: Noise
Noise and Noise Pollution
• Noise: Unwanted or unpleasant sound.
•
Noise Pollution: Harmful or excessive noise in the environment.
Effects:
• Hearing loss
•
Stress
•
Disturbance in sleep and communication
Prevention:
• Plant trees (they absorb sound)
•
Use earplugs
•
Avoid loudspeakers near schools and hospitals
Musical Instruments
• String Instruments: Guitar, violin
• Wind Instruments: Flute, trumpet
• Percussion Instruments: Drum, tabla
Human Ear
• Outer Ear: Collects sound waves.
•
Middle Ear: Amplifies vibrations (three bones – hammer, anvil, stirrup).
• Inner Ear: Converts vibrations into electrical signals sent to the brain.
2. Important Points
• Sound is produced by vibrations.
•
It travels in waves through a medium.
•
Frequency determines pitch, amplitude determines loudness.
•
Sound cannot travel in vacuum.
•
Noise pollution affects health and environment.
3. Highlights / Summary Table
Property Definition Unit
Example Loud drumbeat
Amplitude Height of wave; loudness –
Hertz (Hz) High-pitch flute
Frequency Vibrations per second
Wavelength Distance between two compressions m Sound wave
Speed Distance traveled per second m/s ~340 m/s in air
4. Worksheet / Practice Questions
A. Fill in the blanks:
1. Sound is produced by __________.
2. Sound cannot travel through __________.
3. The unit of frequency is __________.
4. The loudness of a sound depends on its __________.
B. True or False:
1. Sound can travel in vacuum.
2. Frequency determines the pitch of a sound.
3. Noise pollution can cause hearing problems.
4. Sound travels faster in air than in solids.
C. Short Answer Questions:
1. What causes sound to be produced?
2. How does sound reach our ears?
3. Write two differences between noise and music.
4. List two ways to prevent noise pollution.
D. Application Question:
A bell is rung inside a glass jar from which air has been removed. Will the sound be heard? Why
or why not?
5. Diagram Descriptions
Diagram 1: Vibration of a tuning fork
• Two prongs of tuning fork shown vibrating back and forth
•
Air particles compress and rarefy forming sound waves
Diagram 2: Structure of Human Ear
• Label parts: outer ear, ear canal, eardrum, ossicles, cochlea, auditory nerve
Diagram 3: Sound Wave Diagram
• Show compressions and rarefactions with wavelength and amplitude labeled