sound
Sound plays an important role in our life. It is through sound we know that a period in school
is over or if someone is approaching you by just listening to the footsteps. Vibrating objects
produce sound. Vibration is the to-and-fro or back-and-forth movement of an object. Sound
needs a medium to travel. Hence, it cannot travel in a vacuum.
For more information on Sound, watch the below video
Introduction to Sound
Introduction to waves
The sound is produced by vibrating objects.
They travel from one place to another in the form of waves. Hence, the name sound
waves.
Wave and particle motion of waves
Mechanical waves are waves that travel through a material medium.
It is of two types: depending on the direction of motion of the particle of the medium
and the wave propagation:
*transverse
*longitudinal
Transverse waves
Particle motion is to perpendicular the direction of wave motion.
This type of wave is a mechanical wave called a transverse wave. For example, light
or even Mexican wave in a stadium.
Longitudinal waves
When the particles of the medium travel parallel to the direction of the wave motion
by means of successive compression or rarefaction.
It is also a mechanical wave.
Example: a slinky
To know more about Sound Waves,
Sound Properties
Introduction to sound waves
– Sound needs a medium to propagate. The matter or material through which sounds
propagates is called a medium.
– Sound cannot travel in a vacuum. The moon does not have an atmosphere. Hence, you can
hear on the moon.
For more information on Properties of Sound
Sounds by Humans
How do humans produce sound?
The sound produced in the voice box is called the larynx, located at the upper end of
the windpipe.
2 vocal cords get stretched across in the voice box. Has a slit through which air is
forced out by the lungs.
Muscles attached to vocal cords make them tight or loose.
Hearing
Human ear
Outer ear = pinna: collects sound from the surroundings.
Sound passes through a tube called an auditory canal.
Eardrum (tympanic membrane) → vibrates when the sound incident.
Vibrations are sent to the inner ear, and from there, it goes to the brain as signals via
the auditory nerve.
To know more about Human Ear,
Amplitude, Time Period and Frequency
Amplitude, frequency and time period of vibrations
The magnitude of disturbance in the medium on either side of the mean value is called
as Amplitude(A). Larger the amplitude, the louder the sound.
The number of oscillations per second is called frequency. Expressed in Hertz (Hz).
Time taken for one complete oscillation to travel across a point. T = 1/f. (Seconds)
For more information on Characteristics of Sound Waves
Loudness and Pitch
Volume or loudness of a sound depends on the amplitude. The force with which an
object is made to vibrate gives the loudness.
The number of oscillations per unit time. Directly proportional to frequency.
Audible and inaudible sounds
Audible range = 20Hz to 20kHz known as the Sonic range.
Below 20 Hz (inaudible) → infrasonic range
Above 20 kHz (inaudible) → Ultrasonic range
To know more about “Characteristics of Sound Waves”,
Noise Pollution
Noise and music
– Sounds with the same pitch and loudness can be distinguished based on the quality. Music
is pleasant to the ears, while noise is not.
– Unpleasant sounds are called noise.
Noise pollution and measures to control it
– Presence of excessive unwanted noise in our surroundings is called noise pollution.
– Can cause hearing impairment, sleeplessness and also hypertension.
– Must be minimised by reducing noisy operations and honking in residential areas. Planting
trees along roads also cuts down the noise.
To know more about Noise Pollution,
Learn more about sound and its properties and other related topics, includin.
Also, Read
Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class
8 Science Notes Chapter 13 Sound
Q1
What are Transverse waves?
Transverse wave is where the motion in all points on a wave oscillates along paths at right
angles to the direction of the wave’s advance.
Q2
What is the definition of Amplitude?
The definition of amplitude refers to the length and width of waves, such as sound waves, as
they move or vibrate.
Q3
What are some ways to control Noise pollution?
1. Turn off unnecessary appliances 2. Use earplugs 3. Follow limits of noise level