Problem statement: design an experiment to investigate how the amplitude of the reflected
sound from a particular surface depends upon the frequency of the incident sound.
Hypothesis: as the frequency of the incident sound wave increases, the amplitude of the
reflect sound wave decreases, that is, they are inversely proportional.
Aim: to determine how the frequency of the incident sound affects the amplitude of the
reflected from a particular surface.
Theory:
1. Sound waves are longitudinal waves that is their direction of propagation is parallel to
their direction of movement. Sound waves need a medium to travel.
2. Reflection is the bouncing of waves off a boundary.
3. Sound waves obey the laws of reflection and hence the angle of incidence is equal to
the angle of reflection.
4. Frequency is the number of oscillations made per second by any point on the wave.
5. Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the rest position.
Apparatus:
1. Signal generator
2. Loudspeaker
3. A piece of wood (1m in length and height, 5cm in thickness)
4. Oscilloscope
5. Microphone
6. Power supply
Diagram:
Variables:
Controlled variable: the loudness of the incident wave, the material the wave is being incident
on, the dimensions of the material the wave is being incident on, the distance the material is
from the speakers
Manipulating variable: the frequency of the incident wave
Responding variable: the amplitude of the reflected wave
Method:
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in diagram 1 above.
2. Connect the microphone to the oscilloscope.
3. Set the signal generator to 500 Hz (f1).
4. Turn on the loudspeaker to 80 dB.
5. Record the reading on the oscilloscope for the amplitude of the reflected wave, A1.
6. Repeat steps 3-5, changing the frequency in intervals of 500 Hz to obtain nine more
readings.
7. Tabulate the readings for frequency and amplitude.
Expected results:
It is expected that as the frequency of the incident sound waves increase, the amplitude of the
reflected rays will decrease. This will be indicated by the readings on the oscilloscope. If this
occurs, the hypothesis is accurate.
Table 1: table showing the readings recorded for the experiment
Frequency / Hertz Amplitude/ m
Data analysis:
1. Plot a graph of frequency vs amplitude.
2. Comment on the shape of the graph and hence state the relationship between the
frequency of the incident wave and the amplitude of the reflected wave.
From the graph the relationship between the frequency of the incident wave and the
amplitude of the reflected wave should be inversely proportional.
Discussion:
From this experiment, it is expected that as the frequency of the incident wave increases, the
amplitude of the reflected wave will decrease, hence they should be inversely proportional.
When sound waves propagate through a medium, the sound energy from the waves cause the
molecules in the medium to vibrate and hence some of the sound energy is transferred to heat
energy. Therefore, the medium is said to have absorbed some of the sound and the amplitude
decreases. Higher frequency sounds have more cycles per second and hence more sound
energy. A larger amount of the sound energy is now converted to heat energy and therefore
more sound is absorbed. This should result in less sound being reflected back and hence the
amplitude should decrease. Lower frequency sounds have less cycles per second and hence
less sound energy is transferred to heat energy which should result in more sound being
reflected and hence the amplitude should increase.
The frequency of the wave is to be varied by using a signal generator as it is a convenient
way to get different frequency sounds. An oscilloscope should be used to measure the
amplitude of the reflected sound wave as it will be easy to read off the amplitude from the
graph. A small sheet of cardboard is to be used to identify the normal.
Precaution should be taken to ensure that the experiment is carried out in a closed room to
prevent sound waves escaping. The experimenter should also wear noise cancelling
earphones to prevent any hearing injuries from the high frequency waves. This experiment
may be limited by the absorption capability of the walls in the room as the walls may absorb
some of the sound waves before they strike the wood surface.
Reflection of sound waves is used in SONAR where pulses of ultrasound frequencies are
used in determining ocean depths and locating shoals of fish and submarines. By
understanding how the absorption of different frequencies of sound affect the amplitude of
the sound reflected, reverberations in halls can be reduced by use of appropriate absorbent
materials.
Conclusion: the relationship between the frequency of the incident sound wave and the
amplitude of the reflected sound wave is _____
