What is Sound?

• Sound is a pressure wave which is created by a

vibrating object.

• This vibrations set particles in the surrounding medium

(typical air) in vibrational motion, thus transporting
energy through the medium.

• Since the particles are moving in parallel direction to

the wave movement, the sound wave is referred to as a
longitudinal wave.

• The result of longitudinal waves is the creation of

compressions and rarefactions within the air.

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Measuring the Intensity of Sound
• Sound intensity, amount of energy flowing per unit time
through a unit area that is perpendicular to the direction
in which the sound waves are travelling.

• Normally, sound intensity is measured as a relative ratio to

some standard intensity, Io. The response of the human
ear to sound waves follows closely to a logarithmic
function of the form
R = k log I
• where R is the response to a sound that has an intensity of
I and k is a constant of proportionality

• Thus, we define the relative sound intensity level as

 I 
SL(dB) = 10 log 
 I0 

• The unit of SL is called the decibel (abbreviated dB)

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 Examples for Sound Levels in Decibel
• Threshold of hearing- 0 dB
• quiet living room -20 dB
• Refrigerator- 40 dB
• normal conversation -60 dB
• passing motorcycle -90 dB
• pneumatic drill- 100 dB
• loud rock concert -110 dB
• pain threshold -120 dB
• rocket launch -180 dB
• softest audible 1000 Hz
sound- 6 dB
• soft whispering- 25 dB
• soft talking- 50 dB
• busy city street noise- 70 dB
• somebody shouting- 100 dB
• Helicopter- 110 dB
• air raid siren- 130 dB
• gunshot -140 dB
• Instant perforation of
eardrum -160 dB
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Characteristics of Sound Waves
Pitch
• Pitch is the quality that allows us to classify a sound as
relatively high or low. Pitch is determined by the
frequency of sound wave vibrations.
• Higher Pitch of any sound corresponds to larger no. of
compressions and rarefactions passing a point per unit
time.

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Loudness
• Loudness of a sound depend upon the amplitude of
vibration producing that sound.
• Greater is the amplitude of vibration, louder is the
sound produced by it. The loudness of sound also
depend upon the quantity of air that is made to
vibrate.

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Quality
• Quality of sound is known as timbre. The quality of
sound is the characteristic which enable us to
distinguish between the sound produced by different
sources.
• A sound of single frequency(called pure sound) is called
tone.
• A sound which is mixture of several frequencies is
called Impure sound.

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Difference between Sound and
Noise
• Sound is what we hear. Noise is unwanted sound. The
difference between sound and noise depends upon the
listener and the circumstances.
• Noise is a subset of sound.
• Sound in its most natural state is pleasant and good to
hear.
• Noise has a bigger decibel mark than most ordinary
sounds.
•

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Sources of Noise

Train Ambulance
Construction
Noise Siren Noise
Noise

Music
Traffic Noise system
Noise

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Objective: To fabricate such a material who has very
high sound transmission loss capacity when sound
passes through it.
• Approach
Studying basics about sound Selection of best sound
Literature Review
and vibration absorbing materials

Testing of materials Apparatus setup Fabrication of Materials

Designing of window using

Installation of window Results
best selected materials

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Literature Review

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