Physics

of
Sounds
Chapter 15.2
Nature of Sounds

Sound Waves
exhibit
Reflection

Interference

Are
characterized
by
Speed of
Sound
Sounds
Pressure

Refraction
Sound
Intensity
Diffraction

in
Gas

Transverse
Waves

Liquid

Solid

Longitudinal
Waves

Nature of Sounds
Sound is a pressure disturbance that
moves through a medium in the form of
mechanical waves. When a force is
exerted on an atom, it moves from its
rest or equilibrium position and exerts a
force on the adjacent particles. These
adjacent particles are moved from their
rest
position
and
this
continues
throughout the medium.This transfer of
energy from one particle to the next is
how sound travels through a medium.

Nature of Sounds
Sound or pressure waves are made up of
compressions and rarefactions.
Compressionhappens when particles are
forced, or pressed, together.
Rarefactionis just the opposite, it occurs
when particles are given extra space and
allowed to expand.
The
alternating
compressions
and
rarefactions
produce
a
wave.
One
compression and one rarefaction is called
awavelength. Different sounds have
different wavelengths.

Nature of Sounds

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Propagation of
Sound

Sound is one kind of longitudinal wave, in

which the particles oscillate to and fro in the
same direction of wave propagation. Sound waves
cannot be transmitted through vacuum. The
transmission of sound requires at least a medium,
which can be solid, liquid, or gas.
Transverse
Longitudinal
Waves
Crests

Compressi
on

Troughs

Rarefactio
n

Propagation of
Sound

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Speed of Sound
Is affected by several factors

Elasticity

Density

Temperature

Speed of Sound
Elastic Properties
The speed of sound is also different for different
types of solids, liquids, and gases. One of the
reasons for this is that the elastic properties are
different for different materials. Elastic properties
relate to the tendency of a material to maintain its
shape and not deform when a force is applied to it.
A material such as steel will experience a smaller
deformation than rubber when a force is applied to
the materials. Steel is a rigid material while rubber
deforms easily and is a more flexible material.

Speed of Sound
Density
The density of a medium is the second factor that
affects the speed of sound.Densitydescribes the
mass of a substance per volume. A substance that
is more dense per volume has more mass per
volume. Usually, larger molecules have more mass.
If a material is more dense because its molecules
are larger, it will transmit sound slower. Sound
waves are made up of kinetic energy. It takes more
energy to make large molecules vibrate than it does
to make smaller molecules vibrate. Thus, sound will
travel at a slower rate in the more dense object if
they have the same elastic properties.

Speed of Sound
Temperature
Temperature is also a condition that affects the
speed of sound. Heat, like sound, is a form of
kinetic energy. Molecules at higher
temperatures have more energy, thus they can
vibrate faster. Since the molecules vibrate
faster, sound waves can travel more quickly.
The speed of sound in room temperature air is
346 meters per second. This is faster than 331
meters per second, which is the speed of sound
in air at freezing temperatures.

Speed of Sound
The formula to find the speed of sound in
air is as follows:
v = 331m/s + 0.6m/s/C * T
v is the speed of sound and T is the
temperature of the air. One thing to keep
in mind is that this formula finds the
average speed of sound for any given
temperature. The speed of sound is also
affected by other factors such as humidity
and air pressure.

Receiving Sound
Waves

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Receiving Sound
Waves

Receiving Sound
Waves

The fleshy part of ear, thepinna,collects

the sound. The sound wave then travels
through the auditory canal which funnels
the sound to the ear drum causing it to
vibrate. The ear drum then amplifies the
sound by vibration of bones. It is in the
middle ear where sound energy is
converted into mechanical energy. The
cochlea in the inner ear converts the
vibrations into electrical impulses before
sending signals to the brain. The brain

Thank you!
SAY AHH!!

Prepared by : Darlene M. Roxas