Sound is a mechanical wave that propagates through a medium such as air, water or other solid or liquid matter. Sound waves are longitudinal waves where the vibration of particles is parallel to the direction of wave propagation. When atoms in the medium are set in vibration through an oscillation, it creates alternating high and low pressure regions called compressions and rarefactions that propagate as a sound wave. The characteristics of a sound wave include wavelength, amplitude, velocity, frequency, timbre and time period. Sound waves travel fastest in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases.
2. Sound:-
⢠A sound is a vibration that propagates through a medium in the
form of a mechanical wave.
⢠The medium in which it propagates can either be a solid, a liquid
or a gas.
⢠Sound travels fastest in solids, relatively slower in liquids and
slowest in gases.
⢠Sound cannot travel through vaccum.
⢠Wave :- A wave is a disturbance in a medium that carries energy
without a net movement of particles.
⢠Oscillation :- It is defined as the process of repeating variations of
any quantity or measure about its equilibrium value in time.
⢠A wave is created by an oscillation either mechanically or
electromagnetically.
3. Progressive Wave:-
⢠A wave that continuously travels in a particular direction inside a
medium is called a progressive.
⢠Progressive waves are also known as traveling waves.
⢠Sound wave is one of the example of progressive wave.
4. Transverse Longitudinal
The movement of the particle is
perpendicular to the direction
of wave
The movement of the particle is
along the direction of the wave
Consists of troughs and crests It contains refractions and
compressions
Travels only in solids. Can travel through all states of
matter.
Light waves are transverse
waves.
Sound waves are longitudinal
waves.
The particles are displaced
perpendicular to the direction
of the travelling wave.
The movement of particles is
usually parallel to the
movement of energy.
5. Sound wave:-
⢠A sound wave is the pattern of disturbance caused by the movement
of energy traveling through a medium (such as air, water or any
other liquid or solid matter) as it propagates away from the source of
the sound.
⢠Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
⢠This means that the propagation of vibration of particles is parallel
to the energy wave propagation direction.
⢠When the atoms are set in vibration they move back and forth.
⢠This continuous back and forth motion results in a high-pressure
and a low-pressure region in the medium.
⢠These high- pressure and low-pressure regions are termed
compressions and rarefactions, respectively. .
6. ⢠Compression :- Reduction in difference between small and large
amplitudes or Region of high density and pressure of the wave
form.
⢠Rarefaction :- Region of low density and pressure in a wave form.
7. Characteristics of sound wave:-
1. Wavelength :- The distance between the successive compression
and rarefaction is known as the wavelength of a sound wave
2. Amplitude :- The amplitude of the sound is the magnitude of the
maximum disturbance in a sound wave.
3. Velocity :- The speed at which sound waves propagate through a
medium is known as velocity.
4. Frequency (Pitch) :- The number of rarefactions and compressions
that occur per unit time is known as the frequency of a sound wave.
5. Timbre :- The qualities of sound that enable the ear to distinguish
between sounds with the same pitch and loudness.
6. Time period :- The time required to produce a single complete wave.
8. Relationship Between Wave Properties:-
⢠If a wave is travelling at a certain speed and you double itâs
frequency, itâs wavelength will be cut in a half.
⢠If you cut a wave frequency in half, the wavelength will be double.
⢠Means wavelength and frequency are inversely related.
9. Longitudinal Sound Waves :- A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the
motion of the mediumâs particles is parallel to the direction of the energy
transport.
If you push a slinky back and forth, the coils move in a parallel
fashion (back and forth). Similarly, when a tuning fork is struck, the
direction of the sound wave is parallel to the motion of the air particles.
Compression, rarefaction, wavelength, amplitude, period and
frequency are the main characteristics of a longitudinal wave..
