Unit 1. Module 5: Sounds Measured in m or cm.

3. Frequency - the number of complete waves/cycles per unit of time.

Sound - a form of energy produced & transmitted by vibrating matter. Hertz (Hz) – unit of frequency. 1 wave per second
vibration – back and forth movement of molecules of matter Decibel - the unit for measuring the loudness of sound (dB).
 Travels in waves
 Travels more quickly through solids than liquids or gases Speed of Sound
 Sound cannot travel through a vacuum.  It is determined by taking the product of the frequency and the
 ALL sound is carried through matter as sound waves wavelength.
Sound energy - the energy produced by sound vibrations as they travel v=fx
through a where v (velocity) - speed at which the wave is traveling the speed of the wave can
specific medium. be expressed as
Wave - a repeating disturbance that transfers energy through matter or
 the ratio of the wavelength and the period v=
space
 When a wave moves through matter, the particles of matter do T
Factors that Affect the Speed of a Sound
NOT move along with the wave. 1. Density
 Only the energy that produces the wave moves with the wave.  Sound moves well through dense materials
Medium – the matter through which wave travels. All phases of matter can
 As density of medium increases, speed of a wave decreases.
act as a
2. Elasticity - refers to the ability of a medium to return quickly to its original
medium Ex. of Mediums: water - ocean waves & air - sound waves
shape after being disturbed. More elastic, the faster the wave.
Sound wave - a wave, which is created by vibrating objects and propagated
3. Temperature of medium
through a medium from one location to another.
 The hotter the medium the faster the sound travels. In equation:
 Sound waves move out in ALL directions from a vibrating object
where T is the temperature of air in Celsius degree and 0.6 is a
 When sound waves hit a hard surface, they bounce back. constant factor of temperature.
 When sound waves hit a soft surface, they are absorbed. 4. Type of Medium
 The faster the sound waves, the higher the pitch.  travels better through liquids and solids and gas
 The slower the sound waves, the lower the pitch. Properties of Sound
 Since it needs a medium to propagate, it is considered a mechanical wave. 1. Reflection - described as the turning back of a wave as it hits a barrier.
 In propagating sound, the waves are characterized as longitudinal waves. Examples:
Types of Waves a. echo – reflected
Waves are classified according to the motion of the sound
medium as compared to the movement of the wave. b. reverberation –
1. Transverse wave - a wave in the which the repeated echo in a small
motion of the medium is at right angles dimension space or
to the direction of the wave. room.
The movement of particles is perpendicular to the Echo sounding - used
direction of wave travel. by scientists to map
a. trough - the lowest part of a transverse wave Transverse wave the sea floor and to
b. crest - the highest part of a transverse wave determine the depth
2. Longitudinal wave - waves that are usually of the ocean or sea.Is is
created by pulling & pushing the material or medium. just the same as how
The motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of bats use sound to detect
the wave. Also called as pressure wave because waves distances.
are created by pressure Ultrasound - works on
a. Compression – a space in the medium in the principle of
which the molecules are crowded together Longitudinal wave reflection of sound
b. Rarefaction - a space in the medium in which there are fewer molecules waves
Characteristics of Waves 2. Refraction - described as the change in speed resulting to bending of sound
1. Amplitude - the maximum distance the molecules of a medium are displace from it encounters a medium of different density. Ex. concerts in open field
their rest potential. Indicates the energy of the wave. As energy increases,
amplitude increases
2. Wavelength - the distance between 2 consecutive crests or troughs.