SOUND
MEDIUM : The matter or substance through which sound is transmitted is called a
medium.
PROPOGATION OF SOUND WAVES:
A wave is a moving disturbance that travels through a medium like air. When one
particle moves, it makes nearby particles move. The particles do not move forward;
only the wave moves ahead. Sound travels in this way, so sound is a wave. Since it
needs a medium to travel, sound is called a mechanical wave. Air is the most
common medium through which sound travels.
When a vibrating object moves forward, it pushes and compresses the air in front of
it creating a region of high pressure. This region is called a compression (C).
This compression starts to move away from the vibrating object. When the vibrating
object moves backwards, it creates a region of low pressure called rarefaction (R).
RAREFRACTION
COMPRESSION
TRANSVERSE WAVES:
Particle motion is perpendicular to the direction of wave motion.
E.g. Light and Mexican wave in a stadium.
LONGITUDINAL WAVES:
Particles travel parallel to the direction of wave motion by means of successive
compressions or elongations.
E.g. Sound waves in the air.
WAVELENGTH
The distance between two successive crests or troughs (or) successive
compressions and rarefactions is called wavelength (λ). The SI unit of wavelength
is metre (m).
FREQUENCY:
The number of oscillation per unit time is called frequency (𝛎).
The SI unit of frequency is Hertz.
TIME PERIOD (T):
The time taken by two consecutive compressions or rarefactions to cross a fixed
point is called the time period of the wave.
In other words, we can say that the time taken for one complete oscillation is called
the time period of the sound wave. It is represented by the symbol T. Its SI unit is
second (s).
Frequency and time period are related as follows:
𝛎 = 1/T
AMPLITUDE:
The magnitude of disturbance in a medium on either side of the mean value is
called an amplitude (A). The loudness or softness of a sound is determined
basically by its amplitude.
PITCH:
The number of compressions or rarefactions per unit time. Directly proportional to
frequency.
SPEED OF SOUND IN DIFFERENT MEDIA:
We hear thunder after seeing lightning because sound travels much slower than light.
The speed of sound depends on the medium and its temperature.
Sound travels fastest in solids and slowest in gases.
As temperature increases, the speed of sound also increases.
For example, sound travels faster in warm air than in cold air.
For example, the speed of sound in air is 331 m s–1 at 0ºC and 344 m s–1 at 22 ºC
REFLECTION OF SOUND:
Like light, sound gets reflected at the surface of a solid or liquid and follows the
same laws of reflection. The directions in which the sound is incident and is reflected
make equal angles with the normal to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence,
and the three are in the same plane.
Echo:
An echo is the sound heard again after it is reflected from a distant surface such as a
building, mountain, or wall.
Our brain can remember a sound for about 0.1 second. So, to hear an echo clearly,
the reflected sound must come back after at least 0.1 second.
Sound travels at a speed of about 344 m/s in air at 22°C. In 0.1 second, sound
travels 34.4 metres to the object and back. Therefore, the reflecting object must be
at least 17.2 metres away to hear a clear echo. This distance can change with air
temperature. Sometimes, echoes are heard many times due to repeated reflections.
The rolling sound of thunder happens because sound reflects again and again
from clouds and the ground.
REVERBERATION:
Reverberation is the repeated reflection of sound in an enclosed space that causes
the sound to continue for some time even after the source has stopped.
The repeated reflection that results in this persistence of sound is called
reverberation.
To reduce reverberation, the roof and walls of the auditorium are generally covered
with sound-absorbent materials like compressed fibreboard, rough plaster or
draperies.
USES OF MULTIPLE REFLECTION OF SOUND:
• Megaphones, loudhailers, horns, trumpets and shehnais are made to send
sound in one direction so that it does not spread in all directions and can be
heard clearly.
• A stethoscope is used by doctors to listen to sounds inside the body like the
heartbeat and breathing. The sound reaches the doctor’s ears through
multiple reflections inside the tube.
• Concert halls, cinema halls and conference halls have curved ceilings so
that sound reflects and reaches all corners of the hall. Sometimes a curved
soundboard is placed behind the stage to help spread sound evenly to the
audience.
RANGE OF HEARING:
The audible range of sound for human beings extends from about 20 Hz to 20000
Hz.
(Refer the below paragraph for One marks)
Children below five years and some animals like dogs can hear very high-
frequency sounds up to 25 kHz. As people grow older, their ability to hear high-
frequency sounds decreases. Sounds with frequencies below 20 Hz are called
infrasonic sounds, which humans cannot hear. Some animals like rhinoceroses,
whales, and elephants use infrasound to communicate. Animals may sense
earthquakes early because earthquakes produce infrasound before strong vibrations
begin.
Sounds with frequencies above 20 kHz are called ultrasonic sounds. Animals
such as bats, dolphins, and porpoises produce ultrasonic sounds. Some moths can
hear these ultrasonic sounds very well.
APPLICATIONS OF ULTRASOUND:
Ultrasound is a very high-frequency sound that humans cannot hear. It can travel in
straight paths even when obstacles are present. Ultrasound is widely used in
industries and hospitals. In industries, it is used for cleaning small or hard-to-reach
parts like spiral tubes and electronic components.
Ultrasound is used to check defects in big structures like buildings, bridges,
machines, and scientific equipment. Small cracks or holes inside metal cannot be
seen from outside but can weaken the structure. Ultrasonic waves are sent through
the metal, and if there is a defect, the waves are reflected back. This helps detect
hidden flaws
Ordinary sound cannot be used to detect defects because it bends around corners,
but ultrasound does not. Ultrasound is used to form images of the heart
(echocardiography) and internal organs like the liver, kidney, and uterus
(ultrasonography). It helps doctors detect problems such as stones, tumours, and
growth defects in a foetus. Ultrasound is also used to break kidney stones into
small pieces so they can pass out with urine.