Lecture 14
Physical principle of sound and its
properties:
Sound waves:
Sound waves are a longitudinal wave and needs
a material medium such as gas, liquid or solid
for its transmission.
All sound wave’s longitudinal mechanical
waves. Sound waves from 20 Hz to 20000 Hz
are within the audible range. Waves below the
audible range are called infrasonic waves and
above called ultrasonic waves.
Loudness of sound – The loudness of a sound is determined
by two factors, the intensity of the sound reaching the ear and
the sensitivity of the listeners’ ear. The intensity is defined as
the sound energy per second incident on a unit area placed at
right angles to the sound direction. The unit is w/m².
Pitch – The pitch of a sound is the sensation that sound
produced in a listener. The pitch of a sound is higher if the
frequency of the sound is higher.
Quality – A particular note struck on a piano sounds different
from the same note plucked on a guitar string. It is because
the quality of the note from different insturment is not the
same.
Properties of the sound wave:
I. Reflection – sound wave obey the laws of reflection just like
the other types of wave. The angle of reflection equals the angle
of incidence. An echo is formed from the reflection of sound.
II. Refraction – sound wave also refracted when moves from one
medium to another.
III. Diffraction – sound wave diffract through openings and round
the edges of obstacles. Sound waves spread round corners an
could be heard coming from the side of a building. Sound does
not come straight through an open door but spread out and can
be heard in any direction.
IV. Interference – the superposition of sound waves from two
coherent sources produces interference.
Physical properties of light and its
properties:
Light:
Is a natural energy which produces the visible feelings.
Light or visible radiation is a form of electromagnetic
radiation lies between infra-red and ultraviolet waves in
the electromagnetic spectrum.
Speed of light: in vacuum is 3×10 m/s.
Properties of light:
Reflection:
Reflection occurs when a wave strikes an object
and bounces oss. It occurs with all types of waves.
Law of reflection:
I. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
reflection.
II. The incident ray, the reflected ray and normal
all lie in the same plane.
Refraction:
Refraction is the bending of waves caused by a
change in their speed when they move from one
medium to another. The amount of bending that
occurs depends on the speed of light in both
materials. The greater the difference between the
speeds of light in the two media, the more the
light is bent as it passes an angle from one
medium to another.
Diffraction:
Diffraction is the spreading of light waves
through a narrow slit or opening; or the
spreading of light waves round and obstacle.
Interference:
White light can be separated into colors by
refraction in a prism. When white light shines
through a diffraction grating, the colors
separated. Reflective material can be ruled with
closely spaced grooves to produce diffraction
patterns.