Definition of Sound
• Sound is produced by a vibrating body, hence a vibrating body would always produce
sound, sometimes the vibration is clearly observable and the sound is strong whereas in
some cases the vibration is small and the sound is feeble.
• Example-When the diaphragm of a drum is struck, it vibrates and produces sound,
When the air column vibrates within a flute it produces sound.
Propagation of Sound
• Sound can propagate through solids, liquids and gases. It cannot propagate through
vacuum.
• Sound can propagate through solids, Hence the doctor checks us using the
stethoscope. He can hear the
sound from within our body because sound travels through solids.
• Sound can propagate through liquids, in fact this is how aquatic animals communicate
with each other.
• Sound can propagate through gases, this is the reason why we are able to hear a person
standing near us speak.
Generation of Sound by Humans
• In humans sound is produced because of the vibration of the voice box called larynx.
The larynx is situated at the upper end of the windpipe.
• It comprises two stretched membranes called vocal cords with a
narrow slit between them, when we say air passes through those stretched membranes they
produce different sounds in accordance with stretching.
Sound Heard by Ears:
• The shape of our outer ear is like a funnel, sound waves enter inside. It travels down a
canal and at the end of it, touches a thin stretched membrane called the eardrum.
• The eardrum vibrates to the effect of sound. The ear passes on these vibrations to the
inner ear and then there to the brain which processes it.
• Various Terms Used In Sound
• Audible and Inaudible Sound
• The human ear can recognize sound in the range of 20 Hz -20 KHz. These are called
audible sounds. Example-Music, Instruments, Cracker
• Frequencies below 20 Hz and greater than 20 KHz cannot be heard by the human ear.
These are called inaudible sounds. Example-It is believed that bat calls are in the inaudible
ultrasonic range. Dogs can hear frequencies greater than 20 KHz so they are used by the
police to respond to such whistles.
• Ultrasound scans produce sounds in this range.
Difference between Noise and Music
• Music refers to pleasant sounds which we would like to hear. Example-Musical
instruments like flute, guitar,
violin, etc.
• Sound which are unpleasant to hear are termed as noise. Example-Honking of
vehicles, Loud-crackers, Explosions
Noise Pollution
• Presence of excessive or unwanted sounds in the environment around us is called
Noise Pollution.
Sources of Noise Pollution
• Vehicles honking on the road
• Explosions
• Bursting Crackers
• Loud Speakers
• Noise pollution may leads to health related problems such as anxiety, stress, lack of
sleep
Measure to limit Noise Pollution
• Avoid or minimize use of crackers.
• Industry and factory units which
produce a lot of noise should be set up away from residential areas