Sound

Click the picture to listen music

Click the picture to
listen music

An Overview
• Introduction,
• Some Important Terms
• Production of sound,
• light ‑ lightning and thunder
Sound needs a medium to
propagate,
• Propagation of sound,
• Waves and wave motion,
• Types of Waves Mechanical
and non­mechanical waves ,
Longitudinal and transverse
waves,
• Compression and rarefaction.
• Crest and trough,
• Characteristics of waves,
Relationship between wave
velocity, frequency, and
wavelength for a periodic
• Wave, Speed of sound ,
• Sound travels slower than
• Characteristics of sound,
• Reflection of sound waves,
• Echo , Reverberation ,
• Practical applications (or
uses) of multiple reflection of
sound ,
• Megaphone ,
• Ear trumpet (or hearing aid) ,
• Sound boards and curved
ceiling and walls in large halls
 Introduction,
• Hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch are the five senses
by which human beings gather knowledge about the
external world. We hear when 'something' reaches our
ear. What is that something? That something is sound.
• Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of
pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas,
composed of frequencies within the range of hearing
and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the
sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such
vibrations.
• Sound is a form of energy.
• Sound is produced when something vibrates, i.e.,
oscillates with small amplitudes.
• Sound is produced when we speak.
• When our fingers strike the membrane of a tabla, when
signals are fed to the speakers of a radio, television or
music system, when utensils bang against each other, and
so on.
• In each case the source of sound vibrates.
• We hear many sounds in our daily routine. Some are mild
(feeble), some are loud, some are shrill, some are flat.
• Each sound is so special to its source that even when
heard only once, we quickly recognise it even after long
interval of time.
 Some Important Terms
• Wave. A periodic disturbance produced in a material medium due to
the vibratory motion of the particles of the medium is called a wave.
• Wave motion. The movement of a disturbance produced in one part
of a medium to another involving the transfer of energy but not the
transfer of matter is called wave motion.
• Mechanical wave. The waves which need a material medium for
their propagation are called mechanical waves. Mechanical waves
are also called elastic waves. Sound waves, water waves, etc., are
mechanical waves.
• Non‑mechanical waves. The waves which do not need a material
medium for their propagation are called non‑mechanical waves.
Non‑mechanical waves, however, can travel through a material
medium. All electromagnetic waves are non‑mechanical waves. For
example, light waves, radio waves are non‑mechanical waves.
• Electromagnetic waves. The waves which are associated with
oscillating electrical and magnetic fields and do not need any
material medium for their propagation are called electromagnetic
waves. Light waves, radio waves, etc., are electromagnetic waves.
All electromagnetic waves travel in vacuum with the speed of light
(3 x 108 m/s).
• Longitudinal wave. The wave in which the particles of the
medium oscillate (vibrate) along the direction of propagation of the
wave is called a longitudinal wave. Sound waves are longitudinal
waves.
• Transverse wave. A wave in which the particles of the medium
oscillate/ vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of
propagation is called a transverse wave. Water waves, light waves,
radio waves are transverse waves.
• Compression. A part of a longitudinal wave in which the
density of the particles of the medium is higher thanthe normal
density is called a compression.
• Rarefaction. A part of a longitudinal wave in which the density
of the particles of the medium is less than the normal densitiy is
called a rarefaction.
• Crest. The point of maximum positive displacement on a
transverse wave is called a crest.
• Trough. The point of maximum negative displacement on a
transverse wave is called a trough.
• Phase. The points on a wave which are in the same state of
vibration are said to be in the same phase.
• Ultrasonic waves : The sound waves having frequencies higher
than 20,000 Hz are called ultrasonic waves or ultrasound.
• Humans can hear sounds over the range 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
• Wavelength. The distance between the two nearest points on a wave
which are in the same phase is called the wavelength of the wave. It is
denoted by ‘l’. The distance between two adjacent crests or two
adjacent troughs of a wave is called its wavelength ‘l’.
• Frequency. The number of waves (or wave cycles) produced per
second is called its frequency. It is denoted by ‘n’ and its unit is
Hertz(hz) or s-1
• Amplitude. The maximum displacement of particles of the medium
from their mean positions during the propagation of a wave is called
amplitude of the wave. It is denoted by ‘a’ and its unit is meter(m).
• Time period. The time taken by a wave to travel through a distance
equal to its wavelength is called its time period. It is denoted by ‘T’
and its unit is seconds(s).
• Time period of a wave = (1/ Frequency) of the wave.
• Wave velocity. The distance travelled by a wave in one second is
called velocity of the wave or wave velocity. The wave velocity of a
wave depends upon the nature of the medium through which it passes.
NOTATIONS
• Time t
• Time period T
• Frequency n
(Wave Number) SOME IMPORTANTFORMULAE
• Wavelength l  
Frequency (n) = 1/time period
• VelocityV
Time period (T) = 1/frequency

Velocity of a wave = Frequency x Wavelength

V =nl
Velocity of a wave = Wavelength/Time period
 Production of sound
Vibrating body produces sound.
Vibrating tuning fork produces sound.

All vibrating bodies produce sound.

In some cases, the vibrations are easily visible to our
naked eyes but in some cases they can only be felt
and not seen.
 Sound needs a medium to propagate
sound can travel through air but not through vacuum.
• Materials required: An electric
bell, a big glass jar, vacuum
pump.
• Procedure: Hang an electric bell
inside a jar connected to a
vacuum pump. Switch on the
bell. Can you hear it? Yes!
• Now, switch on vacuum pump
to take the air molecules out of Conclusion: This experiment shows
the jar. The sound of electric that sound can travel through air (or
bell becomes feeble, and finally gases) but not through vacuum.
you may not hear the sound of Sound can travel through any
bell Can sound travel through medium solids, liquids and gases,
vacuum? No. but not through vacuum.
 SOUND NEEDS A MEDIUM
TO PROPAGATE
• Vibrations produce sound. To produce vibrations, we
need a material body. Therefore, we can say that a
medium is needed for sound to travel.
• Sound can travel through air (or gases), liquids and
solids, but not through vacuum.
• Tuning fork is a U‑shaped single metal piece with a
handle (called stem), The two arms in the U‑shaped
section are called prongs. Tuning fork is used to
produce sound of certain f ixed frequency.
• The matter or the substance through which sound is
transmitted is called the medium.
ACTIVITY: To show that sound can travel through solids.
Materials required: A metallic railing and a rod
Procedure: Hold one end of a metallic railing near your ear. Ask your friend to tap or
scratch the other end of the railing with a rod.
Can you hear the sound? Yes!
This shows that sound can travel through solids.
Conclusion: Sound travels through solids.
 
ACTIVITY : To show that sound can travel through liquids.
Materials required: A balloon and a watch
Procedure: Fill a balloon with water. ‑Hold it near your ear. Now, keep the watch gently to
the other side of the balloon.
Do you hear the sound? Yes!
Conclusion: Sound can travel through liquids.
 
ACTIVITY: To show that sound can travel through a string.
Materials required: Two cans, long piece of string
Procedure: Take two clean tin‑cans and use a nail to punch a hole in the
bottom of each can. Connect the cans together by a long piece of string (by
threading it through the holes and tying knots). Hold one can and ask your
friend to hold the other.
Pull the string tight and ask your friend to speak into the other can. Listen
through the can you are holding. Do you hear your friend? Yes!
How is sound passing from one can to the other?
The sound travels through the string.
What happens if the string is slack?
 Propagation of sound
• Sound is a wave motion, to propagate, it needs a medium.
• The medium needed by sound to propagate must be a
material medium, elastic and continuous. It can be solid,
liquid or gas.
• When a person speaks, the air closer to his mouth is
pushed in the direction of the sound. As a result of it, the
molecules in this layer of air get disturbed and start
vibrating about their mean positions. These vibrating
molecules then disturb the adjacent molecules, and the
process continues until the molecules in the air nearest to
the listener’s ear start vibrating. These vibrating
molecules then cause vibrations in the diaphragm of the
listener’s ear. The vibrating diaphragm of the ear sends
signal to the brain.
• Mechanism of the propagation of sound: A vibrating
tuning fork produces sound. During a vibration, the
prong of the tuning fork moves from one extreme
position to another about its mean position through air
• When a prong of the tuning fork moves from the
position right to its mean position the air in front of it
gets compressed and a pulse of compression starts
moving forward. During the return movement, when the
prong moves from the position left to its mean position
the air behind it expands and a pulse of rarefaction starts
moving forward. If the prong continues vibrating, a
series of compressions and rarefactions are created
during the propagation of sound, and longitudinal waves
are produced in the surrounding air.
 Waves and wave motion
• WAVES AND WAVE MOTION:
When a small stone (pebble) is
dropped into a pond the ripples
are formed. The disturbance
created by the stone in the water
produces ripples which move
outwards towards the shore of the
pond. A leaf floating near the
disturbance for a short while on a steady day, the leaf moves up and
down about its original position, but does not move away or towards
the source of disturbance. This indicates that the disturbance (such as
a water wave) moves from one place to another, but the water is not
carried with it. The water particles simply move up and down about
their mean positions. The formation of ripples on the surface of water
is an example of wave motion.
 • Wave: A periodic disturbance produced in a
material medium due to the vibratory motion of
the particles of the medium is called a wave.

WAVE MOTION: The

movement of a disturbance
produced in one part of a
medium to another involving
the transfer of energy but not
the transfer of matter is called
wave motion.
Examples: (i) Formation of
ripples on the water surface.
(ii) Propagation of sound waves
through air or any other
material medium.
• Characteristics of wave motion:
• (i) In wave motion, the particles of the medium vibrate
about their mean positions. The particles of the medium do
not move from one place to another.
• (ii) A wave motion travels at the same speed in all
directions in any medium.
• (iii) Speed of a wave depends upon the nature of the
medium through which it travels.
• (iv) During a wave motion, energy is transferred from one
point of the medium to another. There is no transfer of
matter through the medium.
• (v) During a wave motion, the medium does not move as a
whole. Only the disturbance travels through the medium.
Types of Waves Mechanical and non­
mechanical waves ,
• MECHANICAL AND NON‑MECHANICAL WAVES:
The waves which need a material medium for their
propagation are called mechanical (or elastic) waves. The
medium may be a solid, a liquid or a gas.
• Mechanical waves propagate through a medium due to the
elastic properties of the medium. That is why mechanical
waves are also called elastic waves. Mechanical waves
cannot travel through vacuum.
• Examples. Sound waves, Water waves (ripples), Waves on
stretched strings, Earthquake waves and the Shock waves
produced by a supersonic aircraft are mechanical (or
elastic) waves.
• Non ‑ mechanical waves: The waves which do
not need a material medium for their propagation
are called non ‑ mechanical waves. However, non
‑ mechanical waves can also travel through a
material medium.
• In any medium, the speed of a non ‑ mechanical
wave is much higher than that of a mechanical
wave.
• Electromagnetic waves are non mechanical
waves. For example, Light waves, Radio and
Television waves, and X‑ rays are non ‑
mechanical waves.
• Electromagnetic waves: The waves which do not need
any material medium for their propagation are called
electromagnetic waves and are associated with
oscillating electrical and magnetic fields.
• Electromagnetic waves can even travel through vacuum.
Light waves, Radio waves, Television waves, and X‑rays are
electromagnetic waves.
• Light waves, Radio and Television waves, and X‑rays can
also travel through vacuum.
• The electromagnetic waves travel in vacuum with the
speed of light (3 x 108 m/s). The speed of any
electromagnetic wave in any other material medium is less
than that in the vacuum. For example, speed of light waves
in vacuum is 3 x 108 m/s, while in water the speed of light
waves is 2.25 x 108 m/s.
 Difference between Mechanical waves and
electromagnetic waves
Mechanical waves
•1.Mechanical waves need a
material medium for their
propagation. These waves cannot
travel through vacuum.
•2.Speeds of mechanical waves are
low and depend upon the source
and the medium through which they
travel.
•3.Mechanical waves are due to the
vibrations of the particles of the
medium.
•4. Mechanical waves may be
longitudinal or transverse waves.
•5. Examples: Sound waves, waiter
waves, string waves are mechanical
waves.
Electromagnetic waves
• 1.Electromagnetic waves do not need
any material medium for their propa-
gation. These waves can travel through
vacuum.
•2.Electromagnetic waves travel with the
speed of light (3 x 108 m/s) in vacuum.
Speed of an electromagnetic wave in any
material medium is less than that in
vacuum.
•3. Electromagnetic waves are due to the
oscillating electrical and magnetic fields
in space
•4.Electromagnetic waves are transverse
waves.
•5.Examples: Light waves, radio waves,
and X‑rays are electromagnetic waves.
 Difference between sound waves and
light/radio waves
•Sound waves
•1. Sound waves are mechanical
waves.
•2. Sound waves need a material
medium to travel.
•3.Sound waves cannot travel
through vacuum.
•4. Sound waves are due to the
vibrations of the material particles
of the medium.
•5. Sound waves travel with low
speeds about 344 m/s at 200C in
air.
Light wavestRadio waves
1.Light waves and radio waves
are electromagnetic waves.
2.Light waves and radio waves
do not need any material
medium for their propagation.
3. Light waves and radio
waves can travel through
vacuum.
4.Light waves and radio waves
are due to the oscillating
electrical and magnetic fields.
5.Light waves and radio waves
travel with the velocity of light
(3 x 108 m /s).
Longitudinal and transverse waves

• LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE WAVES: All waves ‑ mechanical waves and

non‑mechanical waves are classified into two types. These are (a) Longitudinal waves
(b) Transverse waves
•  
• LONGITUDINAL WAVES: A wave in which the particles of the medium oscillate
(vibrate) to and fro about their mean position in the direction of propagation of the wave
is called a longitudinal wave.
• Longitudinal waves can be produced in any medium, viz., in solids, liquids and in gases.
• Examples: (i) Sound waves are longitudinal waves.' (ii) The waves produced in a spring
(slinky) by compressing a small portion of it and releasing are longitudinal waves.
• When a sound wave travels through the air, the molecules in the air oscillate to and fro
about their mean positions in the direction of propagation of the sound wave. Therefore,
sound waves are called longitudinal waves. The sound waves propagate in any material
medium as a series of compressions of rarefactions.
Longitudinal Waves:
A wave in which the particles
of the medium oscillate
(vibrate) to and fro about their
mean position in the direction
of propagation of the wave is
called a longitudinal wave.
• Longitudinal waves can be produced in any medium, viz., in solids, liquids
and in gases.
• Examples: (i) Sound waves are longitudinal waves. (ii) The waves produced
in a spring (slinky) by compressing a small portion of it and releasing are
longitudinal waves.
• When a sound wave travels through the air, the molecules in the air oscillate
to and fro about their mean positions in the direction of propagation of the
sound wave. Therefore, sound waves are called longitudinal waves. The sound
waves propagate in any material medium as a series of compressions of
rarefactions.
 TRANSVERSE WAVES: A LONGITUDINAL WAVES
wave in which the particles of
the medium oscillate about
their mean position in a
TRANSVERSE WAVES
direction perpendicular to the
direction of propagation of the
wave is called a transverse
wave.
Transverse waves can travel through solids and over the surface of liquids,
but not through gases. Examples:
(i) The water waves (ripples) produced on the surface of water are transverse
waves. In water waves, the molecules of water move up and down from their
mean positions.
(ii) A pulse on a slinky when it is given a jerk is a transverse wave.
(iii) All electromagnetic waves, e.g., light waves, radio waves etc.
(iv) The waves produced in a stretched string when plucked are transverse
waves. When a string of sitar (a musical instrument) or guitar is plucked,
transverse waves are produced in the string.
 Compression and rarefaction
• COMPRESSION: The part of a longitudinal wave in
which the density of the particles of the medium is
higher than the normal density is called a compression.
• RAREFACTION: The part of a longitudinal wave in
which the density of the particles of the medium is
lesser than the normal density is called a rarefaction.
Compression Rarefaction
• Graphically representation of longitudinal wave
• In a longitudinal wave, compression and rarefaction follow each
other alternately. In a compression, the density of particles of the
medium is higher than the normal density, while in a rarefaction, the
density of the particles is lower than the normal density. Thus, when
a longitudinal wave passes through a medium, the density of
particles in the medium is different at different places.
• (i) Density‑distance graph. The density ‑distance graph for a
longitudinal wave at any given point of time is drawn by plotting the
particle density of the medium on the y‑axis against distance on the
x‑axis. Two typical density­distance graphs for a longitudinal wave at
two instants of time. (ii) Density‑time graph. The density ‑time graph
for a longitudinal wave is drawn by plotting the particle density of
the medium at any point on the wave on the y ‑axis against time on
the x‑axis. A typical density‑time graph for a longitudinal wave.
 Crest and trough

•Particles moving upwards

from their mean positions form ‘hump’.
•The particles moving downwards from their mean positions
form ‘depression’.
•The highest point on the hump in a transverse wave is
called a crest. Thus, the point of maximum positive
displacement on a transverse wave is called a crest.
•The lowest point on the depression in a transverse wave is
called a trough. Thus, the point of maximum negative
displacement on a transverse wave is called a trough.
•Crests and troughs appear alternately in a transverse wave
• When a transverse wave travels through a medium, the particles
of the medium start oscillating about their mean positions in a
direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation. Some
particles get displaced upwards, while some others downwards
from their mean positions. So, when a transverse wave passes
through a medium, the particles of the medium get displaced
from their mean positions. Therefore, a transverse wave is
described graphically by a displacement‑distance graph.
• A displacement‑distance graph for a transverse wave is drawn
by plotting the displacement of different particles from their
mean positions on the y‑axis against distance on the x ‑axis.
Differences between a longitudinal
wave and a transverse wave
Longitudinal waves Transverse waves

• 1.In a longitudinal wave the

• 1.In a transverse wave, the
particles of the medium
particles of the medium
oscillate along the
oscillate in a direction
direction of propagation of
perpendicular to the direction
the wave.
of propagation of the wave.
• 2.Longitudinal waves can
• 2.Transverse waves can
propagate through solids,
propagate through solids,
liquids, as well as gases.
and over the surface of
• 3.Longitudinal waves consist liquids, but not through
of compressions and gases.
rarefactions.
• 3.Transverse waves consist
of crests and troughs.
 Characteristics of waves
• A wave is characterised in terms of the following
parameters
• (a) Phase
• (b) Wavelength
• (c) Frequency
• (d) Amplitude
• (e) Time period
Wavelength:

Distance between two nearest points on

the wave which are in same phase is
called its Wavelength
SI unit of wavelength is meter (m).
It is Represented by letter ‘l’
 Wavelength:
•All the points present on the crests of a wave are in phase with
each other. Distance between two nearest (adjacent) crests of a
wave is called its wavelength.
•All the points present at the troughs of a wave are in phase with
each other. So, the distance between the two nearest (adjacent)
troughs of a wave is called its wavelength.
•The distance between neighbouring crest and trough is equal to
half the wavelength.

•Wavelength, (l) = Distance between two adjacent crests on a wave

•Wavelength, (l) = Distance between two adjacent troughs on a wave
•Half‑wavelength, (l /2)= Distance between the adjacent crest and
trough on a wave
Amplitude :

Amplitude :Maximum displacement of the particles

of a medium from their mean positions during the
propagation of a wave is called amplitude of the wave.

• The amplitude of a wave is denoted by ‘a’.

• Amplitude is measured in the units of length, metre (m).
The SI unit of amplitude is metre (m).
Amplitude

• The maximum displacement of the particles during wave

propagation is equal to the height of the crests, or to the
depth of the troughs.
• The amplitude of a wave may also be defined as the
height of the crests or the depth of the troughs in a wave.

The amplitude of a wave is a measure of its energy. Thus, the

greater the amplitude of a wave, the greater is the energy carried
by the wave.
Frequency
The frequency of a wave is defined as the number of waves
produced per second is called its frequency.

• The unit of frequency is hertz (Hz).

• It is Represented by letter ‘n’.
The frequency of a wave does not depend upon the nature of the
medium through which it travels. Thus, the frequency of a wave
remains the same in air, water, oil, etc.
Frequency
• The rate at which waves are produced by a
source is expressed by its frequency. The
number of wave cycles of a wave that pass a
given point in one second is called its
frequency.
• For example, in a periodic wave if 50 wave
cycles are produced in one second then the
frequency of the periodic wave is 50 Hz, or 50
cycles per second.
Time‑period
Time required to produce one complete wave
(or wave cycle) is called the time‑period of wave.

• SI unit of time period is second (s).

• It is Represented by ‘t’
Time‑period

• A complete wave consists of a displacement

equal to the wavelength of the wave. So, the time
taken by a wave to travel through a distance
equal to its wavelength is called its time period or
periodic time.
Wave velocity : The distance travelled by a wave in one
second is called velocity of the wave

• Wave velocity means the velocity with which the wave is

travelling. The distance travelled by a wave in one
second is called velocity of the wave, or wave velocity.
Wave velocity is denoted by v.
• The Sl unit of wave velocity is metre per second (m/s or
ms-1).

The velocity of a wave depends upon the nature of the medium

through which it travels. For example, the velocity of a sound wave is
different in different media.
 Relation between time period of a
wave and to its frequency:
• From the definition, the time required to complete one
wave is equal to the time period (T) of the wave. So, if
time period is measured in seconds, then
• No. of waves produced in T s = 1.
• No. of waves produced in 1 s = 1/T
• But, the number of waves produced in one second is
equal to the frequency (n) of the wave. Therefore,
• Or Frequency n = 1/T Hz, Time period in second

The frequency of a wave does not depend upon the nature of the
medium through which it travels. Thus, the frequency of a wave
remains the same in air, water, oil, etc.
 Relationship between wave velocity,
frequency, and wavelength for a periodic
Wave
•From the definition of velocity,
•Wave velocity = Distance travelled by the wave/Time taken
•A wave takes time equal to its time period (T) to travel a
distance equal to its wavelength (l). So,
Wave velocity = Wavelength of wave/Time period of wave
Or V = l/T
•As per definition, Frequency of the wave( n), Time period of
the wave (T)
•Wave velocity = Wavelength of wave x Frequency of wave
V = nl
 SPEED OF SOUND:
•Sound can travel through solids, liquids and gases.
•The speed of sound depends on the Temperature;
Pressure and the properties (or nature) of the medium In
any medium, the speed of sound is increases with a rise
in temperature.
• Order of speed of sound is Solids > Liquids > Gases;
•The speed of light in the air (or more correctly in
vacuum) is 3 x 108 m/s, (3 lakh kilometre per
second).
You can easily hear the sound of an approaching train by
putting your ear on the track well before you could hear its
sound in the air. Why? This is because sound travels much
faster through steel (a solid) than through the air (a gas).
 Sound travels slower than light ‑
lightning and thunder
•Though lightning and thunder are produced together, the
flash of lightning is seen much before the thunder is heard.
When a gun is fired at some distance, the flash of light is
seen well before the sound is heard.
•Striking of a cricket ball with the bat is seen before the
hearing of sound.
•The time gap between ‘seeing’ and ‘hearing’ is due to the
difference between the time taken by the light and the
sound to travel from the source to the observer.
•Sound travels faster in solids and liquids than in gases.
•Sound travels much slower than light. That is why, we can
see the flash of lightning from clouds much before we can
hear the thunder.
 Characteristics of sound,
Any sound is characterised by the following characteristics
1. Loudness 2. Pitch 3. Quality or tone
• Sound from a flute has higher pitch and the sound
coming from a vehicle has low pitch.
• Most of the musical instruments usually produce sounds
(called notes) which consist of a basic or fundamental
frequency and a number of overtones or harmonics of
different loudness.
• Different instruments, depending on their shape and
size, produce different number of harmonics of different
relative loudness. As a result, the sound produced by an
instrument can be distinguished from that produced by
other instruments.
 Loudness
• Loudness of a sound depends on the amplitude of the
vibration producing that sound.
• Greater is the amplitude of vibration, louder is the sound
produced by it.
• The amplitude of the sound depends upon the force with
which an object is made to vibrate.
• The loudness of a sound also depends on the quantity of
air that is made to vibrate.
• Loudness of sound is measured in decibel (dB) unit.
• Long term exposure to 85 dB or more can cause
permanent damage to hearing.
• Sounds over 85dB can harm faster!
 Pitch:
• The shrillness of a sound is called its pitch. The pitch of a sound
depends upon its frequency. Higher the frequency of a sound, higher
is its pitch.
• High‑frequency wave ‑ a high‑pitched sound.
Low‑frequency wave ‑ a low‑pitched sound
• The voice of a child or a woman has higher frequency than the voice
of a man.
• The voice of a child or a woman is more shrill as compared to the
voice of a man.
• The faster is the vibration of the source object, higher is the
frequency and therefore higher is the pitch.
• Higher pitch of any sound corresponds to larger number of
compressions and rarefactions passing a point per unit time.
• The stretched membrane of a tabla or mridangam produces sound of
a higher frequency (or of higher pitch).
 PITCH OF THE NOTE
The frequency indicates the pitch of a note.
High pitch notes have a short wave length.

Low pitched note High pitched note

 Pitch (or frequency)

 A high pitch sound.  A low pitch sound.

The shorter/longer the wavelength of the

wave on the trace; the lower/higher the
frequency of the sound.

The more waves you can see, the higher the

pitch/frequency.
 Sound : What can I hear?

Increase the frequency of the signal provided by a signal generator whilst

keeping the volume the same.

The lowest frequency I can hear is ________ Hz 20

The highest frequency I can hear is __________ Hz
20 000
 Quality
• Quality of a sound is also called timbre.
• The quality of sound is the characteristic which enable
us to distinguish between the sounds produced by
different sources.
• The more pleasant sound is said to be of rich quality.
• A sound of single frequency (called pure sound) is
called a tone. A tuning fork produces the sound of a
single frequency.
• The sound which is a mixture of several frequencies is
called an impure sound (or note) is pleasant to listen.
• Harmonics (or overtones) have frequencies which are
simple multiples of the basic or fundamental frequency.
• Even though two instruments may be playing the
same note, their sounds can differ because each
sound contains a number of frequencies with
different intensities

• Timbre: the quality of a steady musical sound that

is the result of a mixture of harmonics present at
different intensities
Reflection of sound waves
•Sound waves like light waves also
•get reflected from plane and spherical
•surfaces. During reflection, sound
•waves obey the laws of reflections.
•(a) Sound waves have much longer wavelengths than the light
waves. Therefore unlike light waves, sound waves do not need
smooth surfaces for suffering reflection. That is why, a brick wall, a
wooden board, a row of trees, a hill etc., serve as the reflectors of
sound waves.
•(b) To have an appreciable reflection of sound waves from any
surface, it should have dimensions equal or larger than the
wavelength of the sound waves falling on it. That is, a smaller object
will not reflect the sound waves of larger wavelength.
•Good reflectors of sound: A plane, polished surface Brick wall,
Wooden board, Hill
•Good absorber of sound: Cushioned chairs, Fluffy and porous
materials, such as, thermocol.
ECHO: The sound returning back towards the source after
suffering reflection from a distant obstacle (a wall, a hill, a
row of buildings etc.) is called an echo.
• When the sound is reflected repeatedly from a number of
obstacles, more than one echoes, called multiple echoes
are heard. Multiple echoes may be heard one after the
other when sound gets repeatedly reflected from distant
high rise buildings or hills. Rolling of thunder is an
example of multiple echo formation.
• Echo is a very familiar example of reflection of sound
waves. The time gap between the two sounds ‑ one direct
and the other echo, depends upon the medium through
which the sound wave travels. In air the time gap is 0.1
sec.
• The two sounds ‑ one direct and the other echo, can be
heard distinctly provided the distance between the
observer and the reflecting surface is large enough to
allow the reflected sound to reach him without interfering
with the direct sound.
• The speed of sound increases with a rise in temperature.
Therefore, the minimum distance in air between the
observer and the obstacle for an echo to be heard clearly at
temperatures higher than 250C is. more than 17.2 m. In
rooms having walls less than 17.2 m away from each
other, no echo can be heard.
 Reverberation
• REVERBERATION: The repeated reflection that results in
the persistence of sound in a large hall is called
• reverberation. Excessive reverberation in any auditorium/hall
is not desirable because the sound becomes blurred and
distorted. The reverberation can be minimised /reduced by
coverin the ceiling and walls with sound absorbing materials,
such as, fiber‑board, rough plaster, draperies, perforated
cardboard sheets etc.
• Stethoscope is a medical diagnostic instrument based on
multiple reflection of sound waves. This is used by doctors for
listening to the sounds produced inside the body, particularly
in the heart or lungs.
•  
Practical applications (or uses) of multiple
reflection of sound ,
• Some simple devices based on multiple
reflection of sound are,
• Curved ceiling of concert hall/conference
hall/cinema hall,
• Megaphone, Loudhailer,
• Horns, Trumpet,
• Shehanais, Stethoscope,
• Soundboards. 
•AUDIBLE RANGE: The average frequency‑range over which the
human ear is sensitive is called audible range or range of hearing in
humans.
•The human ear can hear sounds having frequencies ranging between
20 Hz ‑20000 Hz. These waves are called audible waves. This range
of audibility gets narrower as we grow old. Children below 5 years of
age can hear up to 25,000 Hz.
•The sound waves having frequencies less than 20 Hz are called
infrasonic waves. Ear quake waves are infrasonic waves.
•Rhinoceroses communicate using infrasonic waves having
frequencies less than 5 Hz.
•Whales and elephants also produce sound in infrasonic range.
•The sound frequencies greater than 20,000 Hz are called ultrasonic
waves or ultrasound. The ultrasonic waves can be produced by
applying an alternating electric field to a quartz crystal. Many animals
such as dogs, bats, dolphins etc., can hear ultrasonic frequencies.
Certain moths can hear high frequency squeaks of the bat. Rats play
games by producing ultrasounds.
Megaphone
ULTRASOUND:
• ULTRASOUND: The sound waves having frequency
higher than 20,000 Hz (1 Hz = 1 cycle s-1) is called
ultrasonic waves or ultrasound. Human beings cannot
hear ultrasound. Dogs, bats and dolphins can hear
ultrasound. For example bats and dolphins can hear
sound waves having frequencies of about 150,000 Hz.
Bats and dolphins detect the presence of any obstacle
by hearing the echo of the sound produced by them.
• Ultrasound finds many technological applications.
•  
•  
• Ultrasound (or ultrasonic waves) are found very useful due to the
following reasons:
• (i) Ultrasound (or ultrasonic) waves are high frequency sound
waves. So these waves have short wavelength. These short
wavelength sound waves can be reflected back from the smaller
objects. Thus, ultrasound can detect or ‘see’, smaller objects (< 1
cm. size). The sound waves in the audible range cannot detect or
‘see’ objects smaller than having size ranging from a few tens of
centimeters to a few meters.
• An intense bed of ultrasound‑ produces heat in the solution
through which it passes. Molecular species in solution tend to
form aggregate and settle down. Ultrasound can form a
homogeneous stable solution of two or more immiscible liquids.
• (ii) Ultrasound beam is more directional and can be aimed
towards any target just like a torch. These waves remain
undeviated over long distances.
 APPLICATIONS OF ULTRASOUND
• (a) For detecting flaws in metal casting and automobile tyres ‑
In this method, pulses of ultrasound are sent out by a
transmitter into the metal casting or automobile tyre, and the
reflected ultrasound (echoes) from different parts are picked
up by a receiver.
• (b) In ultrasonic spectacles for blind people ‑ Such a spectacle
is fitted with a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver
produces a high or low sound in the person's ear depending
upon whether the object causing the echo is near or far.
• (c) For monitoring a nuclear reactor ‑ Ultrasound is also used
to 'see' what is happening to the components inside a nuclear
reactor.
• (d) For welding purposes ‑ The two metal pieces
to be welded are brought in contact and one of
them is made to vibrate with the help of a
ultrasound vibrator. The intense heat produced at
the point of contact due to friction causes fusion
of the two pieces.
• (e) For preparing new materials ‑ Ultrasound is
now‑a‑days used for producing many new and
exciting materials ‑ alloys, catalysts, emulsions,
etc., both in solutions and in solid phase.
• (f) For medical use ‑ Ultrasound is used to detect any infirmity/
deformity in the unborn baby (X‑rays cannot be used for this
purpose because X‑rays may harm the unborn baby). In this
method, an ultrasonic transmitter/ receiver is moved across the
mother's stomach. Different tissues (skin, muscles, bones)
reflect the sound waves differently to produce many echoes. The
machine uses these echoes to construct a picture on the screen.
Any deformity/ infirmity in the baby can be detected and proper
treatment could be prescribed.
• (g) This technology has been misused for knowing the sex of the
unborn baby. It has been noticed that many people force the
would be mother to have an abortion if the unborn baby is
identified to be a female baby. This practice is unethical and a
social crime. Our Government has banned such practices. We all
should work together to eradicate this social menace.
• (h) In echocardiography ‑ In this medical diagnostic technique,
ultrasonic waves are used to construct the image of the heart.
• (m) For determining the depth of sea ‑ Ships use ultrasound
to determine the depth of the sea by echo‑sounding method.
A transmitter on the ship sends ultrasound towards the
sea‑bed and the receiver receives the echo. From the time
gap between the two signals, the depth of the sea can be
estimated. This is illustrated below:
• (n) For cleaning hard to reach places ‑ Ultrasonic waves are
also used for cleaning hard to reach places, such as spiral
tube, odd shaped machine parts/ components, electronic
components etc. The object to be cleaned is kept in the
‘cleaning solution' and the solution is subjected to the
ultrasonic waves. The high frequency (ultrasonic) waves
stir up the dust/dirt particles. These particles get detached
and the object is thoroughly cleaned.
• (o) For sound navigation and ranging (SONAR) ‑ This
technique is used by ships to detect the presence of
submarines, icebergs, sunken ships etc., in the sea.
• Trawler men use ultrasound to find a shoal of fish in the
sea.
• In SONAR, ultrasonic waves are sent out in all the
directions from the ship and the reflected waves are
received. From the time lag between sending the sound
waves and receiving the reflected waves, the distance of
the obstacle from the ship can be calculated. The
machine is also equipped to construct the shape of the
obstacle on the screen of a cathode ray tube.
• SONAR can also be used for determining the depth of
the sea.
• Bats use the principle of SONAR for locating
any obstacle during their flight. Bats can hear
ultrasound having frequencies up to 120 kHz.
During flight, the bat emits a series of high
frequency ultrasound pulses. These pulses get
reflected from the nearby objects. The reflected
pulses are detected by the bat through a receiver
built in his body. Bat is able to sense the time
taken by pulses to return after getting reflected
from the object. Thus, bat is able to detect the
presence and location of the nearby object (or
any obstacle) and is able to fly freely in dark.
Working of Human Ear
•THE HUMAN EAR: Sound waves from outside are collected by
the outer ear (called pinna) and reach the eardrum through the
auditory canal. When the sound waves strike the eardrum,
(tympanic membrane) it starts vibrating. These vibrations are
passed on to the oval window by three bones (called the hammer,
anvil and stirrup) which act as a lever with the pivot at point P. They
magnify the force of the vibrations.
•The oval window has a smaller area than the eardrum. So, this
increases pressure on the oval window and on the liquid in cochlea.
•The vibrations of the liquid in the cochlea affect thousands of
auditory nerves which send messages to the brain.
•Our ears are very delicate and fragile organs. Proper care must be
taken to keep them in healthy state.
•Some suggestions to keep the ears healthy are given below:
•Never insert any pointed object into the ear. It can damage the
eardrum and make a person deaf.
•Never shout loudly into someone's ear.
•Never hit anyone hard on his/her ear.
Structure of the human ear
• It is divided into three parts: outer ear (pinna),
middle ear, inner ear.
•The first chamber of the ear contains tiny hairs and cells
that produce ear wax
•Sound waves pass by the pinna and beat against the ear
drum, causing it to vibrate
•The vibration of the ear drum causes three bones in the
inner ear (hammer, anvil, stirrup) to vibrate carrying
motion to the inner ear, which is filled with fluid.
•The cochlea converts the vibration of the bones to nerve
impulses that the brain receives via the auditory nerve
•The inner ear also controls balance
 How sound travels…
As we know, sound waves are formed when something vibrates. But how does the
sound reach our ears?

Air molecules

1) An object 2) The vibrations pass through 3) These

makes a sound by air by making air molecules vibrations are
vibrating vibrate picked up by the
ear