The Nature of Sound I Flashcards
(40 cards)
what 3 things are related to mechanical vibrations
sound generation
propagation
perception of sound
particle motion
motion of the particles interacts with the particles near them, and the energy is transferred to them spreading out to more remote areas
what are sound waves
areas of pressure disturbances in the air
what does the propagation of sound rely on
presence of a medium
energy transfer takes time. what is this displacement
velocity
what is speed of sound and what does it depend on?
speed at which sound waves travel
medium in which sound travels
what type of wave is sound
mechanical
- transverse
- longitudinal
what is a transverse wave?
the movement of the particles of the medium is perpendicular to the motion of the source
what is a longitudinal wave?
the movement of the particles of the medium is in the same direction as the movement of the source
what is wavelength (λ)?
distance between the particles of the medium that represent two successive peaks or valleys
λ for transverse waves
distance from one peak to another or from one trough to another
λ for longitudinal waves
distance from one point of compression to the next point of equal compression or one point of rarefaction to the next point of equal rarefaction
wavelength equation
λ= velocity/frequency
amplitude
maximum displacement of the particles of the medium from the average resting position
amplitude in transverse waves
amplitude is reported in the direction that is perpendicular to wave source
- difference between the peak value and average value
amplitude in longitudinal waves
amplitude is reported in the direction of wave source
- difference between the density of the compressions and the average value of the compressions
frequency (f)
number of vibrations that occur in one second
- same for both wave types
Period (T)
time taken for one complete vibration
- same for both wave types
relationship between frequency and period
inverse
f=1/T
T=1/f
wave velocity
velocity at which the wave propagates
v= frequency x wavelength
effects of a medium
- usual experience is sound in air
- sound also can propagate in solids, fluids - sound CANNOT propagate in a vacuum (no media present)
characteristics of a medium
- as sound propagates is that there are local regions of increased, equal or decreased regions of compression
- amount of compression/rarefaction and the return to equilibrium that is possible depends on the medium (elasticity property)
elasticity
the ability of an object to return to equilibrium once it has been displaced from rest
what does the speed of propagation depend on
physical properties of the medium