Callum Halls

8 December 2015

The Physics of Sound

Sound is created from vibrations within a medium. Sound is an
energy that intermittently travels. Sound waves travel in an
omnidirectional path, which means it travels in every direction from the
source. All sound waves go through a cycle of compression and

A sound wave
interpreted by
Logic Pro X

rarefaction, which then converts into however many cycles are in a second, is the frequency of
the audio. Sound is pressure in a wave, and waves move back and forward within the air
molecules. A compression is the region within the wave where the particles are closest,
whereas the rarefaction is the region in the sound wave where the particles are furthest apart.
You can also demonstrate this motion with a slinky by having another person hold it a far
distance away and pushing the slinky towards them. You will see the wave travel in motion
towards the other person. A tuning fork or pitching fork are common for this occurrence also.
When you look at a sound wave, you will see that there are many different parts, which
all make one, continuous sound wave. The frequency is the term we use to describe how
many rarefactions and compressions take place within one second, a higher frequency is
equivalent to a high amount of compressions and rarefactions taking place. Frequency is
most often measured in hertz or kilohertz. There are 1000 hertz in a kilohert. As humans, we
are able to perfectly hear from 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz. A bat can decipher noises from 2
kilohertz up to 120 kilohertz. Two notes played specifically, for example, the piano note A will
always be double from the previous note an octave to the left. A3 has a frequency of 220
hertz, however one above, A4 has a frequency of 440 hertz. Higher frequencies are more
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easily absorbed . The amplitude within a sound wave is the change between the pressure of
the atmosphere, from the positive to the negative points. Sounds that create higher amplitudes
will create greater differences between the highest and lowest points.
An envelope consists of four main features, under the name of ADSR. Attack, Decay,
Sustain and Release. These four points are how most sounds are heard. The attack is the time
in which is taken for notes to reach the maximum level, or their peak. The decay is the
amount of time it takes for a note to go from the maximum to the next level in the sequence,
which is the sustain. The sustain, is the level whilst a note is held. Lastly in the ADSR is
release. This is how long it takes for the note to fall to complete silence.
We use decibels to measure the unit of sound. The term comes from Alexander
Graham Bell, famous for patenting the first telephone. Usually, the decibel is measured in a
ratio, to power, sound pressure, voltage or intensity. Sound travels at approximately 343
meters per second. However this can be changed due to the medium that the sound waves
travel through. Sound waves travel through the material by vibrating the air around it. This is
why sound waves do not travel easily through solid materials, as the molecules of the material
are tightly compacted that the air cannot be vibrated.
Harmonies, or harmonics, are a multiple of the base
note frequency. As you can see on the image to the right,
the lower C on the keyboard has the frequency of 65.41hz.
In the next octave, the C has double, which is 130.81.
All across the spectrum, notes are of a multiple of the
note beforehand. This is only for one specific note however,
you cannot, for example, measure the frequency of a C
note, compared with a G note, as they will not be multiples.

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