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SOUND

Sound is a mechanical energy produced by vibrations that requires a medium to travel and is classified as a longitudinal wave. It is characterized by properties such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and speed, and follows reflection laws similar to light, leading to phenomena like echoes and reverberation. The human ear consists of three parts that convert sound waves into electrical signals for the brain, with a hearing range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

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8 views3 pages

SOUND

Sound is a mechanical energy produced by vibrations that requires a medium to travel and is classified as a longitudinal wave. It is characterized by properties such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and speed, and follows reflection laws similar to light, leading to phenomena like echoes and reverberation. The human ear consists of three parts that convert sound waves into electrical signals for the brain, with a hearing range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Uploaded by

novelnaisha
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
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SOUND

. Nature and Production of Sound

 Definition: Sound is a form of mechanical energy that creates the sensation of


hearing.

 Production: It is produced by vibrations—the rapid back-and-forth motion of an


object (e.g., vocal cords, guitar strings).

 Medium Requirement: Sound requires a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to


travel. It cannot travel through a vacuum because there are no particles to transmit
the vibration.

 Type of Wave: Sound is a longitudinal wave. Particles of the medium move back and
forth in the same direction as the wave's travel.

2. Characteristics of a Sound Wave

Sound travels as a series of Compressions (C) (high pressure/density) and Rarefactions


(R) (low pressure/density).

Characteristic Symbol Definition Unit

Wavelength Distance between two consecutive compressions or Metre (m)


rarefactions.

Frequency Number of complete oscillations (waves) per second. Hertz (Hz)

or

Time Period Time taken for one complete oscillation. Seconds


(s)

Amplitude Maximum displacement of particles from their mean Metre (m)


position.

Speed Distance travelled by the wave per unit time. m/s

Key Mathematical Relations:


1. Time-Frequency Relation:

2. Wave Equation:

(Speed = Frequency

Wavelength).

3. Intensity Relation:

(Loudness increases with the square of the amplitude).

3. Reflection, Echo, and Reverberation

Sound follows the laws of reflection similar to light: the angle of incidence equals the angle
of reflection.

 Echo: A reflected sound heard separately from the original sound.

o Minimum Distance: Sound persists in our brain for 0.1s. To hear a distinct
echo, sound must travel to a surface and back in at least 0.1s. At 22°C (speed

344 m/s), the minimum distance is 17.2m.

o Echo Formula:

(where

is the distance to the obstacle).

 Reverberation: The persistence of sound due to multiple reflections in a closed hall.


It is reduced by using sound-absorbent materials like fiberboard or heavy curtains.

4. Range of Hearing & Applications


 Audible Range: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz for humans.

 Infrasound: Below 20 Hz (e.g., used by whales, elephants, and produced during


earthquakes).

 Ultrasound: Above 20,000 Hz (e.g., used by bats and dolphins).

o SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging): Uses ultrasound to measure


underwater depth or detect objects.

o SONAR Formula:

5. Structure of the Human Ear

The ear is divided into three main parts that convert pressure waves into electrical signals.

 Outer Ear (Pinna): Collects sound and directs it through the auditory canal to
the eardrum.

 Middle Ear: Contains three bones—Hammer (Malleus), Anvil (Incus), and Stirrup
(Stapes). They amplify the vibrations about 20 times.

 Inner Ear (Cochlea): The snail-shaped cochlea converts these amplified vibrations
into electrical signals via hair cells. These signals are sent to the brain through
the auditory nerve.

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