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Physics Notes

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Physics Notes

Uploaded by

evelynkanuri86
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Physics Notes

6.1 – Loudness and pitch of sound

Keywords:

· Wavelength

· Period

· Amplitude

· Vibration

· Oscillation

· Elasticity

· Crest

· Trough

· Frequency

· Medium

· Pitch

· Interference

· Loudness

Definitions:

· Wavelength – The length from one wave's highest point to the next wave’s highest point.

· Period – The time taken for one oscillation is called the Period. (T)
· Amplitude - Refers to the maximum distance a wave reaches from its resting position. It
is the height of the crest or trough. Also, the maximum displacement of the molecule
from its resting position is amplitude. (A)

· Vibration – The to and fro or back and forth motion of an object.

· Oscillation – vibration is also called oscillation. The back-and-forth motion of an object.

· Elasticity – The ability of an object to resume its normal shape after being stretched or
compressed.

· Crest - The crest of a sound wave is the highest point or peak of the wave. In a sound
wave, the crest is where the air pressure is at its maximum, creating the highest point of
the wave. This is what our ears perceive as the loudest or highest part of a sound.

· Loudness – How quiet or loud a sound appears.

· Trough - The trough of a sound wave is the lowest point or dip in the wave. In a sound
wave, the trough represents the point where the air pressure is at its minimum, creating
the lowest part of the wave. Our ears perceive this as the quietest or lowest point in a
sound.

· Frequency – The number of oscillations per second (hertz (Hz))

· Pitch – How low or how high a sound is.

· Interference – When two or more sound waves from different sources are present at the
same time, they interact with each other to form a new wave. Wave interaction is called
interference
· Medium – The material or substance through which a wave travels.

Loudness and Pitch

1. The loudness of a sound depends on the amplitude of the sound wave. The greater the
amplitude of a sound wave, the louder the sound is.

2. The pitch of a sound is how high or low the sound is.

3. The pitch of sound is determined by its frequency. The higher the frequency, the higher
the pitch.

Propagation of Sound Wave

1. A sound wave is a mechanical wave that requires a medium for its


propagation. Therefore, sound waves cannot propagate in a vacuum.
2. The medium for propagation can be solid, liquid, or gas.
3. Sound waves propagate fastest in solids and slowest in gas.

Speed of Sound Wave

The speed of sound waves in solids is greater than in liquids, which is greater than in gases.

The speed of air is also affected by temperature.

Period
The time taken by the particles of the medium to complete its one vibration is called the
period of the wave.

The period is represented by the letter T.

The SI unit is seconds.

Longitudinal waves

A longitudinal wave is one where all the particles of the medium (such as gas, liquid, or

solid) vibrate in the same direction as the wave. Sound waves are longitudinal waves.

When longitudinal waves travel through any given medium, they also include compressions

and rarefactions. Compression occurs when particles move close together creating regions

of high pressure.

- Why does Sound travel fastest in solids and liquids compared to gases?
This is because, in solids and liquids the particles are more closely in contact. So, it's easier
for the vibration to hit the next particle. Hence, the more densely the particles are arranged
the faster the sound travels.

- How does temperature affect the sound in the air? Why does sound travel faster in the
air if the temperature is high?

When the temperature is high the particles move faster. When the temperature is higher the
particles in gases collide more often, passing on the vibrations.

- Why are sound waves called Longitudinal?

Sound waves are called longitudinal because they oscillate parallel to the direction of
propagation, forming the compressions.

- Why do vibrating objects that are shorter make a higher pitch than those that are
longer?

Shorter objects make shorter vibrations meaning faster back-and-forth movements, resulting
in a higher-pitched sound. Longer vibrations mean slower movements, leading to a
lower-pitched sound.

6.2 - Interference of sound

Keywords:

Interference

Reinforce

Cancel

Destructive interference
Constructive interference

Definitions:

Interference - When two or more sound waves from different sources are present at the
same time, they interact with each other to produce a new wave. The new wave is the sum
of all the different waves. Wave interaction is called interference.

Reinforce - To strengthen something

Cancel - Adding together to get zero

Destructive interference - Destructive interference occurs when waves come together so that
they completely cancel each other out. When two waves destructively interfere, they must
have the same amplitude in opposite directions.

Constructive interference - Constructive interference is when two waves traveling in the


same direction overlap, and their crests combine to produce a larger wave. As the wave
reinforces the amplitude increases. Hence, you will hear a louder sound. Constructive
interference happens when two waves overlap in such a way that they combine to create a
larger wave.

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