Q1.
Choose the correct answer:
Sound can travel through
(a) Gases only
(b) Solids only
(c) Liquids only
(d) Solids, Liquids, and Gases.
Ans: (d) Solids, Liquids, and Gases.
Sound speed in various medium
Q2. Which of the following voices is likely to have
a minimum frequency?
(a) Baby girl
(b) Baby boy
(c) A man
(d) A woman
Ans: (c) A man
The voice of a man generally has a lower frequency
than that of women and children.
Q3. In the following statements, tick ‘T’ against
those which are true, and ‘F’ against those which
are false.
(a) Sound cannot travel in vacuum. (T/F)
Ans: True
● Sound needs a medium to travel.
● It cannot move through a vacuum.
(b) The number of oscillations per second of a
vibrating object is called its time period. (T/F)
Ans: False
● The number of oscillations per second is called
frequency. It is measured in hertz (Hz). In
contrast:
● The time period is the time taken for one
complete oscillation.
(c) If the amplitude of vibration is large, sound is
feeble. (T/F)
Ans: False
A larger amplitude means:
● More energy in the sound wave
● Louder sound produced
(d) For human ears, the audible range is 20 Hz to
20,000 Hz. (T/F)
Ans: True
The audible range for human ears is:
● From 20 Hz (low frequency)
● To 20,000 Hz (high frequency)
Frequencies outside this range are:
● Below 20 Hz: Inaudible sounds
● Above 20,000 Hz: Also inaudible
Some animals, like dogs, can hear sounds above this
range, which is why they respond to high-frequency
whistles that humans cannot hear.
(e) The lower the frequency of vibration, the higher
is the pitch. (T/F)
Ans: False
Here’s why:
● Lower frequencies produce lower pitches.
● Higher frequencies result in higher pitches.
For example:
● A drum has a low frequency, creating a low-
pitched sound.
● A whistle has a high frequency, resulting in a
high-pitched sound.
(f) Unwanted or unpleasant sound is termed as music.
(T/F)
Ans: False
Noise is defined as any unwanted or unpleasant sound
that can cause disturbance. It can arise from
various sources, including:
● Construction activities
● Traffic and vehicle horns
● Explosions and loud machinery
Such sounds can lead to noise pollution, which may
have negative effects on health, including:
● Sleep disturbances
● Increased stress and anxiety
● Potential hearing impairment
(g) Noise pollution may cause partial hearing
impairment. (T/F)
Ans: True
● High levels of noise pollution can lead to
hearing loss.
● It may also cause other health issues.
Q4. Fill in the blanks with suitable words.
(a) Time taken by an object to complete one
oscillation is called _____________
Ans: Time period
The time period is defined as the duration required
for one complete cycle of motion in oscillatory
systems.
(b) Loudness is determined by the _____________ of
vibration.
Ans: Amplitude
Loudness is directly related to the amplitude of the
sound wave; higher amplitude results in louder
sounds.
(c) The unit of frequency is _____________
Ans: Hertz
Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz), which
represents the number of oscillations per second.
(d) Unwanted sound is called _____________
Ans: Noise
Noise refers to any unwanted or unpleasant sound
that can interfere with normal activities.
(e) Shrillness of a sound is determined by the
_____________ of vibration.
Ans: Frequency and Amplitude
Higher frequency results in a shriller sound, while
lower frequency produces deeper sounds.
Q5. A pendulum oscillates 40 times in 4 seconds.
Find its time period and frequency.
Ans: Frequency is defined as the number of
oscillations per second.
Since the time period is the time taken to complete
one oscillation. It is the inverse of the frequency.
Q6. The sound from a mosquito is produced when it
vibrates its wings at an average rate of 500
vibrations per second. What is the time period of
the vibration?
Ans: Since the time period is the time taken to
complete one oscillation.
Q7. Identify the part which vibrates to produce
sound in the following instruments:
(a) Dholak
(b) Sitar
(c) Flute
Musical Instruments
Ans: (a) In Dholak, there is a stretched membrane at
the top known as the head. When the head is beaten,
the stretched membrane vibrates and thus the sound
is produced.
(b) In Sitar, there are many stretched strings. When
these strings are plucked, the string vibrates and
thus the sound is produced.
(c) In Flute, there is a hollow pipe. When air is
blown into it, the air inside it starts vibrating,
and thus the sound is produced.
Q8. What is the difference between noise and music?
Can music become noise sometimes?
Ans:
● The unwanted sound that is unpleasant to the ear
is called noise. A pleasant sound is called
music.
● Music can become noise in many instances. When
someone tries to enjoy very loud music, it can
be noise for someone else. When loud music is
played during religious celebrations or
marriages, it can be annoying for many people.
Q9. List sources of noise pollution in your
surroundings.
Ans: Following is the list of sources of noise
pollution in my surroundings:
● Horns of vehicles.
● Bursting of crackers.
● Machines
● Loudspeakers
● Television and radio at high volumes.
● Kitchen appliances like mixer, etc.
● Air conditioners
Q10. Explain in what way noise pollution is harmful
to humans.
Ans: Noise pollution can have several harmful
effects on humans, including:
● Lack of sleep
● High blood pressure (hypertension)
● Temporary or permanent hearing impairment
● Headaches
● Increased stress
Q11. Your parents are going to buy a house. They
have been offered one on the roadside and another
three lanes away from the roadside. Which house
would you suggest your parents should buy? Explain
your answer.
Ans: I suggest my parents buy the house that is
three lanes away from the roadside for the following
reasons:
● The house on the roadside is likely to be noisy
due to traffic.
● A house further away would provide a quieter
living environment.
● Less noise can lead to a more peaceful home
atmosphere.
Q12. Sketch the larynx and explain its function in
your own words.
Ans:
● The larynx is the part of the throat that is
responsible for producing sound.
● Inside the larynx, there are two vocal cords,
which are stretched across the voice box or
larynx in such a way that it leaves a narrow
slit between them for the passage of air.
● When we speak, the air is forced into this small
gap by the lungs, which prompt vocal cords to
vibrate.
● When the lungs force air through the slit, the
vocal cords vibrate, producing sound.
Q13. Lightning and thunder take place in the sky at
the same time and at the same distance from us.
Lightning is seen earlier and thunder is heard
later. Can you explain?
Ans: The phenomenon of lightning and thunder occurs
simultaneously in the sky, but we perceive them at
different times due to their differing speeds:
● The speed of light is approximately 3 x 108 m/s,
allowing it to reach us almost instantly.
● In contrast, the speed of sound is about 330
m/s, which is significantly slower.
● As a result, we see the flash of lightning
before we hear the rumble of thunder.