Sound Waves

teacher alya aj
mrsm kuala klawang
2021
4.1 Characteristics
of Sound Waves
• Sound is a form of energy caused by vibration.
• For example, the musical instruments produce sound through vibration
 Evidence to prove that sound is a vibration energy :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi-vJklbM2k
 Do you know how human can
produce voice???

• The vocal cords (in the larynx) produce sound when

they come together and then vibrate as air passes
through them during exhalation of air from the lungs.
• This vibration produces the sound wave for
your voice.
Lightning & Thunder
• In reality, lightning and thunder
occur at the same time but the
different speeds of propagation of
light and sound through the air
cause the delay.
• The light from the lightning travels
to our eyes much quicker than the
sound from the thunder. Therefore,
the flash is seen before the rumble
is heard.
 Transfer of Sound

• Sound requires a medium to propagate

• Sound can propagate through a liquid, solid and gas, when a
bell is ru
surface ng, the m
but not through vacuum o f th etal
vibrate. e b e
Air mole ll will
the surf cules ne
ace will ar
Example: and coll a ls o
ide with vibrate
molecul the air
vibratio es nearby. This
n is tran
one mol sferred f
ecule to rom
molecul an
e beside other
form of it
waves. B in the
bell prod y
uces sou this, the
be heard nd that
by the e can
ars of th
listener e
Transfer of Sound

solid

liquid
Transfer of Sound

gas
 Reflection and Absorption of Sound

• amount of sound reflected or absorbed depends on the surface of the object.

Home Theatre Concept
(Good Soundproofing)
4.2 Loudness &
Pitch of Sound
Loudness & Pitch

• The strength or loudness of sound produced depends on the amplitude of the

sound wave

• Whereas pitch of sound depends on the frequency of the sound produced.

Frequency is measured in the unit of hertz (Hz).
 Understanding Loudness & Pitch of Sound Waves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaQ37-IrT1k
original sound wave
 Doppler Effect

Doppler effect is the apparent change in frequency caused by the relative

movement of sound source, the relative movement of the observer, or both
Example :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxNdr0Bcx20
4.3 Phenomenon & Application
of Reflection of Sound Waves
Phenomenon Of Reflection of Sound Waves

• An echo is produced when sound waves are reflected from a hard surface to the listener
• The reflected echo sounds the same as the original sound but takes some time to reach the
listener’s ears
• echo can be heard in places like enclosed halls, empty rooms, caves, tunnels and gorges.
Application Of Reflection of Sound Waves

Ultrasound

• is a type of sound wave with a frequency

of more than 20 000 Hz.
• An ultrasound cannot be heard by humans
but can be heard by animals such as bats
that use it for navigation
Sonar

• used in the shipping industry

to detect underwater
objects.
• this technology is also used
in other sectors such as
medical and fisheries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRHaFQo6fmk
Limitation of Hearing

• frequency of sound that can be detected by

humans is within the range of 20 Hz to
20 000 Hz
• this range becomes narrower as we age
because our ears lose their sensitivity to
sound frequencies.
• animals have a higher range of hearing than
humans
 Limitation of Hearing

• The limited sense of hearing in humans makes us unable to hear soft sounds and
sounds from a distance.
• Therefore, we need to use special devices to overcome these limitations

A megaphone
Stethoscopes help amplifies the voice so Hearing aids can
doctors listen to a that it can be heard amplify sound entering
patient’s heartbeat from a distance. the ear.
 QUIZ!!

Khuzairi wants to buy household items to reduce the echo sound

in his house.
Which of the following is the suitable equipment to be purchased
by him for that purpose?

A wall clock
B wooden chair
C curtain
D air conditioner
 QUIZ!!

Which is the following statement explain the correct characteristics of sound?

A can be reflected but cannot be absorbed

B propagate at high speeds in all mediums
C cannot propagates through vacuum
D propagate faster than light
 QUIZ!!

What is the unit of frequency?

A ms-1
B hertz
C m-1
D ms-2
 QUIZ!!

Which of the following instrument helps to improve hearing limitation?

A stethoscope
B radio
C satellite
D telescope
 QUIZ!!

Phenomenon of echo is due to the ……………………… of sound waves.

A refraction
B loudness
C reflection
D pitch
Summative Practise

end of slide
teacher alya aj