Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V
SCHOOLS Division of Camarines Sur
SCIENCE 7
Name : ______________________________________________ Quarter: 3 Week: 4-2
Grade Level/Section: _______________________________ Date : ___________________

SOUND
I. Introductory Concept
We are living in a world full of sound- the barking of dogs, ringing of phone,
honking of car, laughing and talking. All of them involves sound.
Sound is a form of energy produced when air molecules vibrate and move in
pattern known as waves or sound waves. Sound waves are mechanical and
longitudinal waves. This means that sound waves need a medium in order to travel
or propagate. In terms of direction of propagation, they travel back and forth or
parallel to the direction of wave propagation.
Vibration of objects or different media causes the production of sound. If there
is nothing to vibrate, then there will be no sound produced. This also implies that
sound waves cannot propagate or be produced in a vacuum, because there is no
material or medium that would cause vibration.

Speed of Sound Waves in Different Media

Sound waves can only be produced and
propagated if there’s a medium, thus, they can
also travel in different media. The speed of sound
waves depends on the type of medium where
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/74/a4/50/74a4506dfa10785f800b5e02ffd
d692f.gif

they travel.
The picture shows that the particles of a solid medium are compact or very
close to each other as compared to the particles of a liquid and a gas. Since the
energy carried by the sound waves is transmitted from one particle to another,
therefore, the energy transmission and propagation of sound waves will be fastest in
solids.
Sound waves travel second fastest in liquids and slowest in gases. The particles
of liquids are closer to each other than the particles of gases, hence, sound waves
will be transmitted faster in liquids than in gases.

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Characteristics of Sound
wavelength
There are different characteristics of sound λ
waves: wavelength, amplitude, frequency, time amplitude

period, and velocity. The wavelength of a sound

displacement
wave indicates the distance that wave travels
before it repeats itself. The wavelength itself is a
longitudinal wave that shows the compressions
and rarefactions of the sound wave. The
distance from the
amplitude of a wave defines the maximum source

displacement of the particles disturbed by the

sound wave as it passes through a medium. A large amplitude indicates a large
sound wave.
The frequency of a sound wave indicates the number of sound waves
produced each second. Low-frequency sounds produce sound waves less often
than high-frequency sounds. The hertz (hz) is a measure of sound frequency. The time
period of a sound wave is the amount of time required to create a complete wave
cycle. Each vibration from the sound source produces a wave’s worth of sound. Each
complete wave cycle begins with a trough and ends at the start of the next trough.
Lastly, the velocity of a sound wave tells us how fast the wave is moving and is
expressed as meters per second.

Velocity = Distance travelled/ Time taken

Let v = λ / T
Where T = time taken by one wave.
v=fXλ
This formula is known as wave equation.
Where v = velocity of the wave/speed of wave
f = frequency
λ = wavelength
Velocity of a wave = Frequency X Wavelength

Sample problem #1-A sound wave has a frequency of 1 500 Hz and a wavelength of
0.221 m. Calculate the speed of sound.
Step 1: Identify the given values.
f = 1 500 Hz or 1 500 /s
λ = 0.221 m
Step 2: Analyze what is unknown.
v =?
Step 3: Write the formula.
v = λf
Step 4: Substitute the given values then solve the problem.
v = (0.221 m) (1 500/s)
v = 331.5 m/s

2
Sample problem #2- A sound from a source travels at a speed of 20 m/s and has a
wavelength of 0.05 m. What is its frequency?
Given: V = 20 m/s
λ = 0.05 m
Unknown f =?
𝑣
Formula: 𝑓= 𝜆
Solution: f = 20 m/s
0.05 m
f = 400 /s or 400 Hz

Sample problem #3- A sound wave with a frequency of 1 200 Hz travels at a speed
of 345 m/s. Find its wavelength.
Given: v = 345 m/s
f = 1 200 Hz or 1 200 /s
Unknown: λ
𝑣
Formula: λ=𝑓
Solution: λ = 345 m/s
1 200 /s
λ = 0.29 m

Other property of sound includes magnitude or sound intensity. Sound intensity

is the power per unit area carried by a sound wave. The more intense the sound is,
the larger the amplitude oscillations will be.

II. Learning Skills/Competency

Describe the characteristics of sound using the concepts of wavelength, speed
and magnitude. (S7LT-IIId-7)

III. Activities
Activity 1
SOUND CHECK
Direction: Read and analyze what is described in the statements in Column A then
match them to their respective answers in Column B. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.
COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. It is the symbol of wavelength. A. 1.66 m
2. It is the unit of frequency. B. 0.60 m
3. It is the mathematical expression of the relationship between C. w = f λ
D. Hz
speed, wavelength and frequency of sound waves.
E. Sound
4. A sound travelling at 331m/s has a frequency of 200 Hz. What F. λ
is its wavelength? G. m
5. It is used in expressing one’s feelings and ideas. H. v = λf

3
 Activity 2
SOUNDS CHALLENGING
Direction: Solve problems involving speed, wavelength and frequency of sound
waves.

Problem #1. Sound waves in air travel at 343 m/s. What is its frequency if its
wavelength is 2m?
Problem #2. A wave on a guitar string travels at a speed of 340 m/s. Find the
wavelength of an “A” note sounding at 400Hz.

Activity 3
SOUNDS GREAT
Direction: Describe the characteristics of sound by completing the paragraph below.
Arrange the scrambled letters to form the correct word. Write your answer in a
separate sheet of paper.

Sound waves are produced through 1. NIOTIVRAB of objects. They are

considered 2. CHANEMLACI waves because they also require a 3. EDMUIM in order
to travel or propagate. Sound has different characteristics. The 4. AVWEGHNTE of a
sound wave indicates the distance that wave travels before it repeats itself. The 5.
MPAEDUTLI of a wave defines the maximum displacement of the particles disturbed
by the sound wave as it passes through a medium. The 6. YFREUQENC of a sound
wave indicates the number of sound waves produced each second The 7.
IMETERPOID of a sound wave is the amount of time required to create a complete
wave cycle. The 8. SDPEE 0R VLOEYTIC of a sound wave tells us how fast the wave is
moving and is expressed as meters per second. Other property includes 9.
TUEDGAMNI or 10. INSITYTEN.

IV. References
https://www.pasco.com/products/guides/soundwaves#:~:text=There%20are%20five%20main%20ch
aracteristics,rarefactions%20of%20the%20sound%20wave.
Goyal, Shikha. (2018). What are the characteristics of sound waves?
https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/what-are-the-characteristics-of-sound-waves-
1525678871-1.
Prepared by:
LEA F. TOMAS CHRISTY R. DAWAL
Writer Layout Artist

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