LAB REPORT-10

NAME : Muhammad Usman

REGISTRATION NO : 20-ME-184
SECTION :D
SEMESTER : 2nd
EXPERIMENT NO : 10
DEPARTMENT : Mechanical Engg.

Experiment Topic:
“Sound waves.”
Firstly, we will define waves. Then, we will move towards our topic that is sound waves.

Wave:
Wave is a disturbance in which the energy is transferred from one place to another place without the
propagation of medium particles. Hence, the best definition of the wave will be the disturbance that transfers the
energy from one place to another place.
Types of Waves:
The two major types of waves are longitudinal waves and transverse waves.
Longitudinal Waves:

Longitudinal waves
Longitudinal waves are the waves in which the vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction the
propagation of the wave or we can say that the displacement of the medium is in the same direction of the wave
propagation.
Transverse Waves:

Transverse waves
Transverse waves are the waves whose oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of
wave. In a transverse wave the displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave
propagation.
Now, we will discuss sound waves.

Sound Waves:

Sound waves
Sound waves are longitudinal waves, because the particles that transport the sound vibrate parallel to the
direction of the propagation of the sound waves.
Sound vibrations travel in a wave pattern, and we call these vibrations sound waves. Sound waves move by
vibrating objects and these objects vibrate other surrounding objects, carrying the sound along. Sound can move
through the air, water, or solids, as long as there are particles to bounce off of.
Characteristics of Sound Waves:
There are five main characteristics of sound waves: wavelength, amplitude, frequency, time period, and
velocity.

Crest and Trough

Crest:
The highest point in a wave is called a crest.
Trough:
The lowest point in a wave is called a trough.

Compression and Rarefaction

Compressions:
The regions of a wave where the particles of the medium are closely packed together are called compressions.
Rarefactions:
The regions of a wave where the particles of the medium are far away from each other are called rarefactions.
Wavelength:
The wavelength of a sound wave indicates the distance that wave travels before it repeats itself. The wavelength
of a wave is the distance between its two consecutive crests or troughs. It is measured in meters (m).
Amplitude:
The amplitude of a wave defines the maximum displacement of the particles disturbed by the sound wave as it
passes through a medium. A large amplitude indicates a large sound wave. The unit of amplitude of a wave is
meters (m).
Frequency:
The frequency of a sound wave indicates the number of sound waves produced each second. Hence, the number
of waves passing through a medium per second is called its frequency. It is measured in Hz.
Time period:
The time period of a sound wave is the amount of time required to create a complete wave cycle. Each complete
wave cycle begins with a trough and ends at the start of the next trough. It is measured in seconds.
Velocity:
The velocity of a sound wave tells us how fast the wave is moving and is expressed as meters per second. It is
measured in meters per second (m/s).

Wavelength, frequency, amplitude, time period

Properties of Sound Waves:

Interference:
When two or more sound waves occupy the same space and fall on each other, they affect the properties of one
another and the phenomena of interference may take place. These waves may constructively interfere each other
or destructively interfere each other, it depends on the way they fall on each other.
Constructive Interference:

Constructive Interference
When a wave falls on another wave and their crests and troughs coincides with each other, constructive
interference takes place. The result is a wave that has twice the amplitude of the original waves so the sound
wave will be twice as loud.
Destructive Interference:

Destructive Interference
When a wave falls on another wave and their crests and troughs differ to each other in their positions,
destructive interference takes place. The result is a wave that has the amplitude which is left after cancelling out
the amplitudes of the original waves so the sound wave will be faint as compared to the original ones’.
Resonance:
It is a phenomenon in which an external force or a vibrating system drives another system around it to vibrate
with greater amplitude at a specified frequency of operation.

Resonance
Beat:

Beat
It is a pulsation caused by the combination of two waves of slightly different frequencies. The resulting sound is
alternately soft and loud; having characteristic pulsations, or throbs, called beats. It is usually measured in beats
per minute (BPM).

THE END