Sound Waves (T)

• What type of wave is sound classified as?

  Longitudinal wave
• How do sound waves transmit through different media?

  By causing particles to vibrate in the medium
• What is the frequency range of normal human hearing?

  • 20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz
• Why can sound waves only trigger vibrations within a limited frequency range?

  Because frequencies outside the range may not vibrate the eardrum
• How does the speed of sound change when it moves from air to a solid?

  It increases because particles are closer together in solids
• What happens to the wavelength when the wave speed increases?

  The wavelength increases
• What is the wave equation relating wave speed, frequency, and wavelength?

  • Wave speed = frequency × wavelength
• Does the frequency change when a wave transitions between media?

  No, the frequency does not change
• How can sound waves be visualized using a cathode ray oscilloscope?

  • Sound waves are represented as transverse waves, although they are actually longitudinal.
• What is the relationship between frequency and pitch in sound waves?

  High frequency means high pitch, low frequency means low pitch
• How does amplitude affect the loudness of a sound?

  Larger amplitude means louder sound, smaller means quieter
• What is an echo in relation to sound waves?

  • An echo is a reflected sound wave.
• Why can't sound waves pass through a vacuum?

  Because there are no particles to transmit the vibrations