Short Answer Questions:

1. What is sound? How is it produced?

 Answer: Sound is a form of energy that is produced by vibrations. When an

object vibrates, it causes the surrounding medium (like air, water, or solids) to
vibrate as well. These vibrations create sound waves, which are detected by our
ears.

2. Why does sound not travel through a vacuum?

 Answer: Sound requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel. In a vacuum,

there are no molecules to vibrate and carry the sound waves, so sound cannot
travel.

3. Explain the difference between a musical sound and a noise.

 Answer:

 Musical sound is regular, periodic, and harmonious (like the sound of a

guitar or piano).

 Noise, on the other hand, is irregular, non-periodic, and unpleasant (like

the sound of traffic or machinery).

4. What are the factors affecting the speed of sound in air?

 Answer: The speed of sound in air is affected by:

 Temperature: The speed of sound increases with an increase in

temperature.

 Medium: Sound travels faster in denser media, such as water or steel,

compared to air.

 Humidity: Sound travels faster in moist air compared to dry air.

5. Define the term ‘frequency’ and explain its relation to pitch.

 Answer:

 Frequency refers to the number of vibrations or cycles of a sound wave

per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

 The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch of the sound (e.g., a
whistle). A lower frequency results in a lower pitch (e.g., a drum).

6. What is an echo? Explain how it is formed.

  Answer: An echo is the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the
listener. It occurs when the sound waves travel, hit a reflective surface (like a wall
or a mountain), and return. Echoes can be heard clearly when the distance
between the source and the surface is sufficient (more than 17 meters).

7. Describe the structure and function of the human ear.

 Answer:

 The outer ear (pinna) collects sound waves.

 The ear canal funnels the sound to the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

 The eardrum vibrates when sound waves hit it and passes these
vibrations to the ossicles (three small bones: malleus, incus, stapes) in the
middle ear.

 The cochlea in the inner ear converts these vibrations into electrical
signals, which are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, where they are
interpreted as sound.

Long Answer Questions:

1. Explain how sound travels through different mediums. Why is sound faster in solids
than in gases?

 Answer: Sound travels through all media (solids, liquids, gases) as longitudinal
waves. These waves require particles to vibrate and transmit energy.

 In solids, particles are closely packed, so vibrations travel faster.

 In liquids, particles are less tightly packed, so sound travels slower.

 In gases, particles are far apart, so sound travels the slowest. The speed
of sound depends on the medium's density and elasticity. In denser, more
elastic materials (like steel), sound waves can transmit energy faster.

2. Discuss the various characteristics of sound waves, such as amplitude, frequency, and
wavelength.

 Answer:

 Amplitude: It is the maximum displacement of particles from their

equilibrium position. It is related to the loudness of the sound. The larger
the amplitude, the louder the sound.
  Frequency: The number of cycles or vibrations of a wave per second,
measured in Hertz (Hz). It is related to the pitch of the sound. Higher
frequency means higher pitch, and lower frequency means lower pitch.

 Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive compressions or

rarefactions in a wave. It is inversely related to frequency—higher
frequency means shorter wavelength and vice versa.

3. How is sound used in medical applications, such as ultrasound? Describe its working
principle.

 Answer: Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves (above the human

hearing range) to produce images of internal body structures.

 An ultrasound machine sends sound waves into the body using a

transducer.

 The sound waves reflect off tissues and organs and return to the
transducer.

 The machine then converts the returning sound waves into visual images,
helping doctors to examine internal organs, monitor pregnancy, or detect
conditions like tumors.

4. What is reverberation? How does it affect sound in large halls? What steps can be
taken to reduce reverberation in such places?

 Answer: Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a large space due to

multiple reflections. In large halls or auditoriums, sound waves keep bouncing off
walls, floors, and ceilings, creating an echo-like effect, which can make speech or
music unclear.

 To reduce reverberation, materials like carpet, curtains, or foam can be

used to absorb sound and prevent it from bouncing around.
Special soundproofing designs can also help reduce this effect.

5. Explain the working of a SONAR system. How is it used in submarines?

 Answer: SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) is a system that uses sound
waves to detect objects underwater.

 A transducer sends out sound waves that travel through water. When
these waves hit an object (like a submarine or fish), they are reflected
back to the receiver.
  By calculating the time it takes for the sound waves to return, the SONAR
system can determine the distance, location, and size of objects
underwater.

 Submarines use SONAR to detect underwater obstacles and other ships.

Practical/Diagram Questions:

1. Draw a labeled diagram of the human ear and explain the functions of its different
parts.

 Answer: (Here’s a brief description)

 Pinna (Outer Ear): Collects sound waves.

 Ear Canal: Carries sound to the eardrum.

 Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane): Vibrates when sound waves hit it.

 Ossicles (Malleus, Incus, Stapes): Three small bones in the middle ear
that amplify vibrations.

 Cochlea: Converts vibrations into electrical signals.

 Auditory Nerve: Sends signals to the brain.

2. Draw a diagram showing the formation of a sound wave. Label the amplitude,
frequency, and wavelength.

 Answer: (Diagram of a sound wave showing the compressions and rarefactions)

 Amplitude: The maximum displacement of particles from their

equilibrium position.

 Frequency: The number of cycles per second.

 Wavelength: The distance between two compressions or rarefactions.

Application-based Questions:

1. Describe how sound is used in communication systems (like mobile phones or radios).

 Answer: In mobile phones, sound is converted into electrical signals by a

microphone. These signals are transmitted through radio waves to another
 phone. The phone on the receiving end converts the electrical signals back into
sound using a speaker, allowing for two-way communication.

2. How does noise pollution affect human health? Suggest ways to minimize noise
pollution.

 Answer: Noise pollution can cause stress, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and
even cardiovascular problems.

 Ways to minimize noise pollution include:

 Using noise barriers (like walls or trees) in busy areas.

 Encouraging the use of quieter machinery.

 Limiting traffic noise by using soundproof materials in buildings.