Sound Physics Notes

CHAPTER
NAME:
SOUND
Notes Compiled By
Waseem Sir
MODERN
BCI
SHOPIAN
Wave Motion: When a disturbance produced in one part of
space travels to another part, without involving the transfer of
any material with it, the motion of this disturbance is called as
wave motion. For Example - Ripples produced on the surface of
water.
Mechanical and Non-Mechanical Wave: Waves

that need a material medium to propagate are called
Mechanical Waves. For Example – Sound Waves.
Waves that do not need a medium to propagate are called Non-

Mechanical Waves. For Example _ Light Waves.
Longitudinal and Transverse Waves: If the particles

of a medium move perpendicular to the direction of motion of
the wave, then the wave is called a Transverse Wave. For
Example electromagnetic Waves, Movement of membrane of a
Tabla, movement of kink of a rope.
If the particles of a medium move along the direction of wave,
the wave is called Longitudinal Wave. For Example Sound
Waves, Vibration of air column in organ pipes.
Note: 1) Transverse waves involve change in shape of the
medium, whereas longitudinal waves involve change in density
of the medium.
2) Transverse waves can only be produced in solids while as

longitudinal waves can be produced in solids, liquids and gases.
Characteristics of a Wave:
1) Wave length(λ): The distance between two consecutive crests

or two troughs is called wave length of a Transverse Wave.
The distance between two consecutive compressions or
rarefactions is called wave length of a Longitudinal Wave.
The S.I unit of wave length ( λ ¿ is metre (m).
2) Time Period (T): The time taken by a wave to travel a

distance equal to one wave length is called time period of the
wave.
The S.I unit if Time Period is second (s).
3) Frequency ( ν): The number of oscillations of a wave per
second is called frequency of wave.
1
ν=
T Where T= time period of oscillations.
4) Amplitude( v): The maximum displacement of wave from its
mean position is called amplitude.
5) Speed of Wave: The speed of wave is he distance travelled
by the wave per second.
V= λ/T or V= ν λ
Sound: Sound is a longitudinal mechanical wave produced by a

vibrating body.
Sound travels faster in solids than liquids and gases.
Speed of Sound in Steel= 5200 m/s.
Speed of Sound in Water= 1480 m/s.
Speed of Sound in Air= 340 m/s.
Vibration: The to and fro or back and forth motion of an object
is called vibration.
How do humans produce Sound

In humans the sound is produced by the voice box or the
larynx. It is at the upper end of the wind pipe. Two vocal cords
are stretched across the voice box or Larynx in such a way that
it leaves a narrow slit between them. For the passage of air.
When the lungs force air through the slit, the vocal cords
vibrate, producing sound · Muscles attached to the Vocal cords
can make the cords tight or loose. When the Vocal cords are
tight and thin, the type or quality of voice is different from that
when they are loose and thick.
Note: Vocal Cords in men are about 20mm long. In women
these are about 15 mm long. Children have very
short vocal cords.
The Human Ear: Our ears are one of the most important sense
organs. Many principles of physics are involved in its working.
The Structure of human ear can be divided in to three Parts -
The Outer ear, the Middle ear and Inner ear. The outer ear
consists of pinna & the ear canal, the middle car has eardrum
or tympanic membrane & contains three inter connected bones
celled hammer, anvil & Stirrup. The Inner ear consists of a
liquid-filled coiled tube called cochlea. The Cochlea has special
sensory cells called hair cells connected to Auditory Nerve,
which is connected to brain. Sound enters through the canal
and make eardrum to Vibrate. The Vibrations are sent to inner
ear, then to brain through Auditory Nerve that is how we hear.
Loudness & Pitch: The frequency determines the shrillness or
pitch of the sound. While as the loudness is determined by the
amplitude of the sound.
*If the frequency of vibration is higher we say that sound is
shrill and has a higher pitch for Example whistle.
And if the frequency of vibration is lower, we say that the
Sound has a lower pitch. For example vibration of a drum.
#Loudness is measured in decibels (db).
Audible & Inaudible Sounds: The human ear is able to hear
sound in a frequency range of about 20 Hz to 20 K Hz (20000 z).
Called audible sound.
Sounds of frequency less than 20 Hz is known as infrasonic
sound or Infrasound. Sounds of frequency greater than20 K Hz
(20000 Hz) is known as ultrasonic sound or Ultrasound. Both
cannot be heard by human ear.
Noise and Music: Music is a sound which produces a pleasing
sensation while as noise is an unwanted and, unpleasant sound.
Music is produced by musical instruments like piano, guitar,
flute etc. Noise is produced by horns of vehicles, crackers,
machines etc.
Noise Pollution: The presence of excessive or unwanted sounds
in the environment is called Noise pollution.
Causes:
Major causes of Noise pollution are sounds of vehicles,
explosions including bursting of crackers, machines,
loudspeaker etc.
At home, the high volumes of Television, some kitchen
appliances, desert coolers, and air conditioners all contribute to
noise pollution.
Harmful Effects of Noise Pollution: Lack of sleep, hypertension
(high-blood pressure) anxiety and many more health disorders
may be caused by noise pollution.
A person who is exposed to a loud sound continuously may get
temporary or even permanent impairment of hearing.
Measures To limit or control Noise Pollution
(1) Silencing devices must be installed in air craft engines,
transport vehicles, industrial machines and home appliances.
(2) All Noisy operations must be conducted away from any
residential area. (3) Use of automobile horns should be
minimized
(4) TV and music Systems Should be run at low volume
(5) Trees must be planted along the roads, around buildings to
cut down on the sounds reaching the residents, thus reducing
the harmful effects of noise pollution.

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CHAPTER

Mechanical and Non-Mechanical Wave: Waves

Waves that do not need a medium to propagate are called Non-

Longitudinal and Transverse Waves: If the particles

2) Transverse waves can only be produced in solids while as

1) Wave length(λ): The distance between two consecutive crests

2) Time Period (T): The time taken by a wave to travel a

Sound: Sound is a longitudinal mechanical wave produced by a

How do humans produce Sound

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