Sound physics

Objectives:
 Read and understand the following.
 Research the other importance of sound.

Sound is defined as Oscillation in pressure, stress, particle displacement, particle

velocity, etc., propagated in a medium with internal forces or the superposition of such
propagated oscillation. Sound can be viewed as a wave motion in air or other elastic
media. In this case, sound is a stimulus. Sound can also be viewed as an excitation of
the hearing mechanism that results in the perception of sound. In this case, sound is
a sensation.
Sound can propagate through a medium such as air, water and solids as longitudinal
waves and also as a transverse wave in solids (see Longitudinal and transverse waves,
below). The sound waves are generated by a sound source, such as the
vibrating diaphragm of a stereo speaker. The sound source creates vibrations in the
surrounding medium. As the source continues to vibrate the medium, the vibrations
propagate away from the source at the speed sound, thus forming the sound wave.

Activity
Question:
1. How is sound related to physics?
2. What are the four basic properties of sound?
3. What is the importance of sound?
4. Why do we need sound?
5. How does sound travel?
Key Answers:

1. Sound is produced when something vibrates. The vibrating body causes the medium
(water, air, etc.) around it to vibrate. Vibrations in air are called traveling longitudinal
waves, which we can hear. Sound waves consist of areas of high and low pressure
called compressions and rarefactions, respectively.
2. *Pitch. the relative highness or lowness we hear in sound measurable by vibrations.
per second.
*Dynamics. degrees of loudness or softness in music.
*Timbre. the quality of a tone that distinguishes it from other tones of the same pitch.
*Duration. the length of time in which vibration is maintained without interruption.
3. And most important is sound's role in communication: 1. Communication, a complex
form of signaling, is an ability that we share with animals. Sound is the only main form
of communication for animals while it is the key for humans communicate with spoken
languages besides body languages.
4. And most important is sound's role in communication: 1. Communication, a complex
form of signaling, is an ability that we share with animals. Sound is the only main form
of communication for animals while it is the key for humans communicate with spoken
languages besides body languages.
5. So, sound needs a physical medium in order to travel anywhere. The speed of a
sound wave depends upon the medium through which it travels. In general, sound
travels faster through solids than through liquids or gases. Also, the denser the medium,
the slower sound will travel through it.