Question 1.

Show with the help of experiment that sound waves are produced by
vibrating bodies?

Ans. Sound is produced by vibration of objects and is propagated through a medium from
one location to another. The to and fro or back and forth motion of an object is termed as
vibration. Motion of objects causes vibrations. In many cases we can see the vibrations with
our naked eyes. While in some cases their amplitude is so small that we cannot see them but
can experience them.

Let us understand the concept of sound produced by the vibration of an object with an
example. We might have seen people playing guitar. In guitar when they pluck the strings of
guitar, it vibrates and produces sound. Sound produced by it travels through air which acts as
the medium.

Another example to explain Sound Production by vibrating objects in tuning fork. Fork
consists of two tines and a handle. When it is hit with rubber hammer, the two tines start
vibrating. The back and forth motion of tines produces disturbances in the surrounding air
molecules. As the tines extend outward from their original position, they compress
surrounding air molecules which results in the creation of high pressure region close to the
tine. When the tine moves inwards, it produces a low pressure region near the tine. With more
vibrations of tine, an alternating pattern of high and low pressure regions are created. These
pressure difference regions help in propagation of sound waves from one location to another.

Sound produced, is transmitted through pressure wave within the object. An object
vibrating back and forth rapidly pushes air forward to make way for itself. When a force is
applied on an atom, it moves from its original position and exerts a force on the adjacent
atom. This motion from one particle to another continues throughout the medium. In this
manner, sound is transmitted through a medium.

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Question 2. Show with the help of experiment that sound waves are mechanical waves?

Ans. Sound waves require some medium for their propagation. So we can say that sound
waves are mechanical waves.

Experiment:
Place a bell jar on vacuum pump. Suspend an electric bell in it with the help of two
wires. Fix a cork in the mouth of bell jar. On ringing the bell sound can be heard. Now start
expelling the air form jar by vacuum pump. The sound becomes faint and faint. At last sound
become hardly heard. By this experiment it has proved that medium is necessary for
propagation of sound waves
.
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Question 3. What is the function of stethoscope?

Ans. Stethoscopes operate on the transmission of sound chest-piece via air filled hollow
tubes, to the listener’s ears. The chest piece usually consists of a plastic disc called diaphragm.
If the diaphragm is placed on patient’s body, sounds vibrate the diaphragm creating acoustic
pressure waves which after multiple reflection travel up the tubing to the doctor’s ear.

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Question 4. Show with the help of an experiment that sound requires a material
medium to travel?

Ans. A sound wave travels in the form of a longitudinal wave and it requires a material
medium for its propagation. Sound always originates from some vibrating body. These
vibrations are produced by tuning forks, drums, bells, the strings of a guitar, etc.
Human voice originates from the vibrations of the vocal chords and the sound from the
musical instruments is due to the vibrations of the air columns. In some cases, the vibrating
frequency of the source may be so very small or so very large that it is not audible to
the human ear. The audible frequency ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The frequency below 20
Hz is called infrasonic and the frequency above 20 kHz is called ultrasonic.
The bell jar experiment is a common experiment used to demonstrate that sound needs
a medium to travel. The experiment is done by placing an electrical bell in the bell jar. As the
air is pumped out of the sealed bell jar, the sound from the bell jar fades. At a particular
vacuum, no more sound is heard from the bell, but we can see that the hammer continues
hitting the gong and sound is produced. However, the sound is not audible to our ears because
of the vacuum inside the jar. This demonstrates that the sound wave cannot travel through
vacuum. That is, a sound wave needs a material medium for its propagation.
Question 5. Write down the characteristics of sound?

Ans. There are following characteristics of sound: -

1. Loudness: -
It is a characteristic of sound by which loud and faint sounds can be distinguished.
Loudness of sound depends upon following factors: -
a) Amplitude of Vibrating Body:-
If amplitude of vibrating body is large then loud sound will be produced and if
amplitude is small then faint sound will be produced e.g. when we strike the drum
forcefully loud sound will be produced due to large amplitude.
b) Area of Vibrating Body:-
If the area of vibrating body is larger, loud sound will produced and if the area of
vibrating body is small then faint sound will produced e.g. sound produced by larger
drum will be loud then a small drum.

c) Distance from vibrating body:-

Loudness of sound also depends upon the distance between producer and listener.
Greater the distance between them result in faint sound. Less distance between them
results in loud sound.

d) Direction of the air:-

Loudness of sound also depends upon the direction of air. In the direction of air
loudness of the sound will be more.

2. Intensity of Sound:-
Sound energy flowing per second through a unit area held perpendicular to the
direction of sound waves is called the intensity of sound. It is physical quantity and does
not depend on the condition of ear.

3. Pitch of Sound: -
The characteristic of sound by which a shrill sound and grave sound can be
distinguished. Higher pitch shows lower frequency. Frequencies of voices of ladies and
 children are greater and their voice is shrill. The frequencies of old men are lesser and
their sound is grave.

4. Quality of Sound:-
The characteristics of sound by which two sounds of same loudness and pitch can
be distinguished.

5. Noise & Music: -

The sound, which has pleasant effect on our ears, is called Music. The sound,
which produces jarring effect on our ears, is called noise.

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Question 6. Define and explain intensity of sound?

Ans. Intensity of Sound:-

“The amount of energy flowing per unit time through a unit area that is
perpendicular to the direction in which the sound waves are travelling.”

Unit of intensity of sound

Sound intensity may be measured in units of Watt per square meter ( W/m2).

Sound intensity level:-

The human ear responds to the intensities ranging from 10-12 W/m2 to
1W/m2 (which is loud to be painful). Because the range is so wide, intensities are scaled by
factors of ten. The faintest intensity of sound 10-12 is taken as reference intensity called zero
bel. The loudness of sound not only depends on intensity of sound but also on the physical
condition of the ear.
The loudness “L” of sound is directly proportional to the logarithm of intensity of sound
“I”.
L α log I

L = (Constant) log I

L = k log I ……………………. (i)

This equation is mathematical representation of Weber-Fechner law. Here K is

constant of proportionality.

Let “L0” be the loudness of the faintest audible sound then

L0 α log I0

L0 = (Constant) log I0
 L0 = k log I0 …………………. (ii)

Subtracting eq.(ii) from eq.(i)

L – L0 = k log I – k log I0

= k log ( I/I0)

The difference (L – L0) is called the intensity level.

Intensity Level = k log ( I/I0)

The unit of intensity level is bel. The smaller unit of intensity level is decibel and 1 bel = 10 dB.
If the intensity level is measured in decibel then,

Intensity Level = 10 log I/Io dB

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Question 7. Define and explain echo or reflection of sound?

Ans. Echo
“The process, when sound waves incident on the surface of a medium it bounces
back into the first medium, is called echo or reflection of sound waves”.
Explanation:-
Echo is the same of reflection of sound waves but due to sensation of sound persists in
our brain for 0.1 sec. To hear echo the time interval between our sound and reflected sound
must be at least 0.1 sec. We know the speed of sound is 334 ms-I at STP then,
As we know,
S=vxt
As echo covers double distance so,
2S = 340 x 0.1
S = 17m
Thus to hear echo the minimum distance between obstacle and the source of sound must be
17m.
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Question 8. How can we measure the speed of sound?

Ans. Speed of Sound

The speed of sound is the distance travelled per unit time by a sound wave.
In common everyday speech, speed of sound refers to the speed of sound waves in air.
However, the speed of sound varies from substance to substance. Sound travels most slowly
in gases; it travels faster in liquids; and faster still in solids.
The speed of sound in an ideal gas depends only on its temperature and composition. The
speed has a weak dependence on frequency and pressure in ordinary air.
 Sound waves in solids travel faster because solids are more elastic than liquids and
gases and speed of sound is directly proportional to the elasticity.

How to measure the speed of sound

Use the measuring tape to measure a distance of 50m from the wall. Now clap your
hands and check you can clearly hear an echo from the wall. Make sure the echo is not coming
from other walls in the area. The time it takes sound to run 100m is the time difference
between when you clap and when you hear the echo. Now clap repeatedly in time with the
echo, so that you can only hear your own clap. Now measure the time it takes to clap 10 times.
Start the stopwatch at the first clap and end it when you hear the echo of the 10th clap.
Measure the time taken by one clap by dividing the total time by 10. Now putting these values
in the formula we can find the speed of sound.
2S = v x t

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Question 9. Explain noise pollution?

Ans. Noise pollution or noise disturbance is the disturbing or excessive noise that may harm
the activity or balance of human or animal life. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is
mainly caused by machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles engines, aircraft and
trains. Outdoor noise is summarized by the word environmental noise. Poor urban
planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side by side industrial and residential
buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas. Documented problems
associated with urban noise go back as far as Ancient Rome.
Outdoor noise can be caused by machines, construction activities, and music
performances, especially in some workplaces. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by
outside (e.g. trains) or inside (e.g. music) noise.
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans and an increased
incidence of coronary artery disease. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death by
altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and
navigation, and contribute to permanent hearing loss.

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Question 10. Explain the importance of acoustics?

Ans. Acoustics
“The technique or method used to absorb undesirable sound by soft and porous
surfaces is called acoustics”.
Explanation
In the construction of classrooms, halls and musical halls if the walls are too absorbent
then sound level will low and hall will sound dull and lifeless. There should be balance
between reverberation and absorption. It is often advantageous to place reflective surfaces
behind the stage to direct sound to the audience. The ceilings of lecture and conference halls
are curved so that sound after reflection may reach all the corners of the hall.
Soft and porous materials such as draperies and rugs absorb large amount of sound energy
and thus quiet echoes and softening noises. By using the acoustics at noisy places we can
reduce the noise pollution.

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Question 11. Explain the uses of ultrasound?

Ans. Uses of ultrasound

i. Ultrasound is used for detecting very small objects.

ii. Ultrasound is used to diagnose and treat different ailments.
iii. Ultrasound is used to form the image of internal organs and hence detecting the
defects in different organs.
iv. Powerful ultrasound is being used to remove blood clots formed in the arteries.
v. Ultrasound is used to get the picture of thyroid gland for diagnosis purposes.
vi. Ultrasound is used to kill the germs and bacteria.

vii. Cracks appear in the interior of moving parts of high speed and heavy machines
such as turbines, engine of ships and airplanes. These cracks are not visible but
can be detected by ultrasound.
viii. Ultrasound is used to measure the depth of the water by echo method.

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 SHORT QUESTIONS
1. Why does sound travel faster in solids than liquids and gases?

Answer: Sound travels faster in solids because solids are more elastic as compared to
liquid and gases.

Explanation: Sound waves are longitudinal waves and the speed of longitudinal waves
in a medium is given by:
𝑬
𝒗=
𝝆

Here E represents elasticity and p represents density of the medium. The ratio of
elasticity and density decides the nature of speed. For solids, elasticity to density ratio is
much greater than that for liquids and gases. That's why, in solids sound travels faster
than liquids and gases.

2. Why are we able to distinguish between two sounds having the same loudness?

Answer: We can distinguish between two sounds of same loudness because of their
different pitch or quality.

Explanation: That characteristic of waves due to which we can distinguish between a

shrill and a grave sound is called pitch. If a girl and a boy are talking to each other with
the same loudness, their voices can easily be distinguished because of different pitch.

Now consider two boys are talking to each other with same loudness. In this case the
pitches of the two boys are the same but still we can distinguish their voices. It is
possible due to a characteristic of wave called quality or timbre.

3. Vibrating mobile phone on wooden table sounds louder than holding in hand.
Why?

Answer: Vibrating mobile phone on wooden table sounds louder than holding in hand
because surface area of wooden table is greater than surface area of phone.

Explanation: Loudness of sound is directly proportional to the surface area of the

vibrating body. When a mobile phone is in contact with the table, the vibration of the
mobile phone is transmitted to the surface of table whose surface area is very large as
compared to the surface area of phone and hence sound becomes louder.
4. During a match in cricket stadium, you see a batsman striking the ball, but we
hear stroke sound slightly later. Explain this time difference?

Answer: We hear stroke after a slight delay than we see the shot because speed of
sound is very much less than speed of light.

Explanation: We see objects when light is reflected from its surface. And thus, we see a
batsman striking the ball through the reflected light. As the speed of light is much
greater than the speed of sound, therefore light reaches before sound reaches us. That's
why we hear the stroke sound slightly later.

5. How much intensity level increases when intensity of louder sound is double
the intensity of faintest audible sound?

Answer: The intensity level will increase to 3 dB when the intensity of louder sound is
double the intensity of faintest audible sound.

Explanation: From Weber Fechner law, the difference in intensity level is given by:

𝐼 – 𝐼 = 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔

Here I0 is the intensity of the faintest audible sound, and I is the intensity of the
louder sound. As it is given that I=2I0, then,

𝐼 – 𝐼 = 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔

𝐼 – 𝐼 = 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔2
𝐼 – 𝐼 = 10 𝑥 0.30
𝐼 – 𝐼 = 3 dB

6. Two singers are singing together simultaneously with intensity level 60 d B of

each in a hall.
a. Is the intensity of sound in the hall doubled?
b. Is the intensity level of sound doubled?

Answer: Yes, the intensity of the sound in the hall will be doubled but the intensity
level of the sound will be increased by only three decibels.
Explanation: When two singers are singing simultaneously with intensity level of 60
dB each, their corresponding intensities will be 1 x 10" W/m' each. Now the two
intensities will be added up to double the intensity, i.e., 2 x 10°W/m'. Here "I" is the
combined intensity of the two sounds while I, is the reference intensity and is taken as
the intensity of the single sound.

7. If pitch of sound is increased, then what is its effect on:

a. Frequency of sound
b. Speed of sound
c. Intensity of sound
d. Loudness of sound
e. Wavelength

Answer: Pitch is that property of sound due to which one can differentiate between a
shrill and grave sound. It depends on the frequency of the sounding source.

a. If the pitch of the sound is increased, then frequency of the sound will also
increase, as both are directly proportional.
b. Speed of sound is not affected by increasing pitch of the sound, because speed of
sound depends on the characteristics of medium and not on frequency (pitch).
c. Intensity of sound will not change by changing pitch of sound, because intensity
of sound is related to amplitude of the wave not its frequency.
d. The loudness of sound is not affected by the pitch of sound.
e. By increasing the pitch of the sound, wavelength of the sound wave will decrease,
because frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional to each other.

8. Vibrating bodies produce sound. When a pendulum vibrates, we do not hear its
sound. Why?

Answer: Sound produced by simple pendulum is not heard because of low frequency.
Simple pendulum produces infrasound waves which we cannot hear.

Explanation: Human ear can hear a sound of frequency greater than 20 Hz and smaller
than 20,000 Hz. In the case of simple pendulum, the frequency is always less than 20 Hz
due to which we cannot hear its sound.
9. Two students are talking in the corridor of your school; you can hear them in
your classroom, but you cannot see them. Why?

Answer: Because sound waves are diffracted more than light a wave, that’s why we
cannot see them but can hear them.

Explanation: The condition for diffraction is that the opening of the hole or sharpness
of the edge should be comparable to the wavelength of waves. The wavelength of light is
much shorter than the wavelength of sound and sharpness of the corner edges in the
corridor is comparable to the wavelength of sound. So, when the two students are
talking, their sounds diffracted along the corner and reaches to us while the light waves
cannot be diffracted along the corner. Thus, we can hear them but cannot see them.

10. How do curtains help to reduce the loudness of sound?

Answer: Curtains can absorb sound and therefore can help to reduce the loudness of
sound.

Explanation: Hard surfaces like tiles and wood will help travelling of sound by
reflecting the waves whereas softer materials like carpet and curtains help to stop
sound in its tracks by absorbing the waves. Noisy and loud sound enters the home
through windows and doors. Curtains act as a guard and absorb exterior loud sound
trying to get inside the home. In this way curtains help to reduce the loudness of sound.

11. What steps would you take to stop echoing in a large room?

Answer: Reflection of sound from a hard surface distinguished as separate sound is

called echo.

The following are some of the steps that should be taken to stop echoing in a large
room.

i. Hang soft curtains on the doors and windows. Curtains absorb sound and do
not reflect it.
ii. Add fluffy rugs or carpeting to the room.
iii. Add some furniture to the room so that the sound doesn't reflect directly.
iv. Mount acoustic foam and fabric panels to the wall of the room.