[SOUND PHYSICS CLASS

10]

SOUND
Sound:
The sensation felt by our ear is called sound.

OR

Sound is a form of energy that produces the sensation of hearing in ear.

Explanation:
Sound is a form of energy which travels through a medium in the form of longitudinal
waves and produce the sensation of hearing when falls upon the ear membrane.

Production of sound:
Three things are necessary for production and hearing of sound.

1. Vibrating body 2. Transmitting medium 3. Hearing device

1. Vibrating body:
The sound waves can be produced by the vibration of a vibrating body in a medium.
For example a tuning fork is a device used for the production of sound in laboratory. When we
struck the tuning fork on a rubber pad the prongs begin to vibrate and a special sound is
produced.

2. Transmitting medium:
When a body vibrates it transfers its energy to the surrounding medium. The
transmitting medium transmits this energy from the source to the receiver by means of sound
waves. The medium could be solid, liquid or gas. Sound cannot travel through vacuum.

3. Hearing device:
Any device that can detect sound wave can be called as hearing device. Ear is a
device that converts sound waves into the sensation of hearing. The energy of sound waves set
the membrane of ear or other device into vibrations. The vibration of the source and vibrations
of membrane posses same characteristics, so the listener hears the sound.

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Sound waves do not travel through vacuum:

Sound waves need a material medium for their propagation. It cannot travels
through vacuum. It can be proved with the help of the following experiment.

Experiment:
Consider an electric bell connected with an electric circuit placed in a bell jar as
shown in the figure. When the circuit is closed the hammer hits the bell and thus the sound
produced propagates through air and finally reaches to our ear.

When air is pumped out gradually from the jar with the help of vacuum pump, then the
intensity of sound decreases. Finally no sound can be heard when air is totally pumped out of
the jar and vacuum is created. Thus sound requires a material medium for their propagation
and it cannot travels through vacuum.

Characteristics of sound:
There are certain characteristics of sound by which one sound can be distinguished from
another sound. These characteristics are given below.

1. Loudness of sound:
Loudness of sound enables us to distinguish between a faint and loud sound. Loudness
depends upon the following factors.

i. Area of the vibrating body: The larger the area of vibrating body louder will be the
sound produced and vice versa. For example the drum produces a loud sound as

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compared with that of produced by a dhoolac. Similarly a school bell produces loud
sound due to large area as compared to that of house bell.
ii. Amplitude of vibrating body: Larger the amplitude of vibrating body, louder will be
the sound produced while the sound will be low if the amplitude will be small. For
example a drum produces loud sound when its membrane is struck strongly whereas
sound will be faint if the membrane is struck gently.
iii. Distance from vibrating body: The loudness of a sound increases or decreases as the
distance between the source and listener decreases or increases respectively.

2. Intensity of sound:
The energy carried by sound waves per unit time per unit area placed perpendicular to
the direction of propagation of waves is called intensity of sound.

Mathematically:

E
I=
A ×t
Where ‘I’ is the intensity of sound when energy ‘E’ is transferred through an area ‘A’ in time
interval ‘t’.

The unit of intensity of sound is watt per square meter (watt/m 2).

Weber Fechner law: It is a relation between loudness of sound and its intensity.

Statement:

According to Weber Fechner’s law, “the loudness of sound is directly

proportional to the logarithm of intensity.”

L ∝ log I
⇒ L = k log I−−−−−−−1
Equation 1 represents the mathematical form of Weber Fechner’s law. This equation gives us
the relation between loudness of sound and intensity of sound ‘k’ is constant of proportionality
and its value depends upon the system of units.

Intensity level or sound level:

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The difference between the loudness of two sounds where one sound is faintest
audible sound is known as intensity level or sound level.

Let L o be the loudness of faintest audible sound and L be the loudness of any
two levels. Then

L0 = k log I 0 −−−−−−1
L = k log I−−−−−−−2
Now for finding the intensity level we subtract the equation 1 from equation 2 we get

L − L0 = k log I − k log I 0
⇒ Intensity level = k ( log I − log I 0 )
I
⇒ Intensity level = k log −−−−−−−3
I0

Putting k = 1 in equation 3 we get

I
⇒ Intensity level = log −−−−4 bels
I0

bel is the unit of intensity level or sound level. In terms of decibels we will use the following
equation

I
⇒ Intensity level = 10 log −−−−5 decibels
I0

From equation 5 we can construct a scale for measuring the intensity level of sound known as
“decibel scale”.

3. Pitch of sound:
The characteristic of sound by means of which we can distinguish between shrill sound
and grave sound is called pitch of sound

Pitch of sound depends upon the frequency. The greater the frequency, the higher is the
pitch and the lower the frequency; the lower will be the pitch. For example the sound produced
by the birds and cats are of high pitch whereas the sound by dogs and frogs are of low pitch.
Similarly men have grave sound with low pitch and women have shrill sound because of high
pitch.

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4. Quality of sound:
The property of sound by which two sounds of same frequency and pitch are
distinguished is called the quality of sound.

The loudness and the pitch of these two sounds may be the same but their wave forms
may be different as shown in the figure. So their quality is different and they can be
distinguished from each other.

Wave form of different instruments having same

loudness and pitch

Musical sound A sound which produces

pleasing sensation in ear is called a musical sound.
Musical sound is composed of regular and uniform vibrations. There is no sudden change in its
wave form as shown in the figure.

The sound produced by sitar, piano, violin, tuning fork etc are the examples of musical
sound.

Noise:
A sound which produces displeasing sensation in ear is called a musical noise. Such a
sound is composed of irregular and disordered vibrations. There is sudden change in its wave
form as shown in the figure. The sound of explosion, horn of vehicles, and sound of donkey are
the example of noise.

Noise pollution:

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The excessive noises which disrupt the balance or activity of living or non living things in
the environment, is called noise pollution.

Explanation:
There are many sources which causes noise pollution. For example the horn of vehicles,
the machinery used in construction, the low flying crafts, loud speakers, metal work etc cause
noise pollution.

Noise is nuisance because of its harmful effect on human beings, animals, plants and
other inert things in environment. Some harmful effects of noise pollution are given below.

1. Noise causes temporary or permanent deafness.

2. It reduces the working efficiency and interferes with communication.
3. It increases the rate of errors which causes accidents.
4. It decreases the ability of understanding, listening, writing and reading of humans.
5. It causes dangerous diseases like blood pressure, heart problems and mental illness.
6. It damages the nervous system of animals.
7. It decreases the productivity of animals and affects the normal growth of plants.
8. Loud noise can also affect the high building and bridges etc.

Speed of sound:
The distance covered by sound waves in unit time is called speed of sound.

The speed of sound depends upon the medium in which they travel; it is greater in denser
medium than in rare medium.

Determination of speed of sound in air:

The speed of sound can be determined by using resonance tube method which works on
the principle of resonance phenomenon.

Construction:
The experimental arrangement consists of a glass tube which is connected to a water
reservoir as shown in the figure.

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The glass tube contain air column whose length can be increase or decrease by moving
the reservoir up and down.

Working:
A vibrating tuning fork of known frequency is brought near the open end of the tube by
gradually increasing the length of the column until we hear a loud sound. At this stage the
frequency of tuning fork becomes equal to the frequency of air column. The compressional
waves send by the tuning fork are reflected from the water surface, producing standing waves
in state of resonance.

There will be a node at the water surface and antinodes at the open end of the tube. As
the length ℓ between node and anti node is given by

λ
ℓ=
4
⇒ 4ℓ = λ
⇒ λ = 4 ℓ−−−−−−1
We know that,

v = f λ−−−−−−2
Putting equation 2 in equation 1, we get;

v = f ×4ℓ
⇒ v = 4 f ℓ−−−−−3

As the values of “ ℓ ”and “ f ” are known, so speed of sound can be calculated.

In air the speed of sound is 330 m/sec.

Reflection of sound:
The bouncing back of sound when it strikes a hard surface is called reflection of
sound.

Explanation:

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As we know that waves have the property to reflect. Sound waves also reflect from
the hard surfaces like walls, metal sheets, plywood etc. the reflection of sound does not require
a smooth and shining surfaces. The reflection of sound is utilized in the working of three
devices; megaphone, sound boards and ear trumpet.

Echo:
The repetition of sound by reflection of sound waves from a surface is known as echo.

Explanation:
When a person shouts in a big empty hall, we first hear his original sound. After a
little while, we hear the reflected sound of shout called echo. Thus an echo is simply the
reflected sound. If we shout at a wall from 344 meters away, the sound takes 1 second to reach
the wall. The sound takes 1 second to return. So we hear echo after 2 seconds.

Audible frequency range:

The human ear can hear only those sounds whose frequency is between 20 Hz to
20,000 Hz (20 kHz) called audible frequency range.

Explanation:
The audible frequency range of human ear is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. We cannot hear
the sound whose frequency is above 20,000 Hz, because the membrane of our ear cannot
vibrate with such a high frequency.

Similarly we cannot hear the sound whose frequency is below 20 Hz, because
loudness of sound is very low to be heard.

The sounds whose frequency is above 20,000 Hz are known as ultrasonic sounds for
example sound produced by bat while the sounds having frequency less than 20 Hz are known
as infrasonic sounds.

Infrasonic sounds or Infrasonics:

The sounds of frequencies lower than 20 Hz are known as infrasonic sounds.

For example: The earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, simple pendulum and some animals like
whale and elephants also produce infrasonic sounds which cannot be heard by human beings.

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Ultrasonic sounds or ultrasonics:

The sounds of frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz are known as ultrasonic sounds
or simply called ultrasound.

Explanation:
We cannot hear the sound whose frequency is above 20,000 Hz, because the
membrane of our ear cannot vibrate with such a high frequency. The ultrasound is reflected
just like ordinary sound and produce echoes which cannot be heard by our ears. They can be
detected by special equipments. Due to high frequency, ultrasound has a greater penetrating
power than ordinary sound and can be used in medical, scientific and industrial purposes. Some
of the applications of ultrasound are as follows.

1. Ultrasound is used in sonar to measure the depth of sea and locate the underwater
objects.
2. Ultrasound is used to investigate inside the human body.
3. Ultrasound is used in the treatment of muscular pain and in the treatment of disease
called arthritis.
4. Ultrasound is used in industry for detecting flaws in metal blocks or sheets without
damaging them.
5. Ultrasound is used for finding the level of a liquid in a metal tank without opening it.

Acoustics:
The study of production, propagation and properties of sound as well as various
applications of sound is known as acoustics

OR The study of sound is called acoustics.

Acoustic protection:
The elimination of acoustic factors which affect the clear hearing of sound is known as
acoustic protection.

Explanation:
The factors which affect the acoustics of rooms and halls are as follows.

1. Echo 2. Reverberation 3. Focusing of sound at certain spots

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1. Echo:
The reflection of sound from the hard surface is called echo. Original sound cannot be
heard clearly due to echo. The echo can be avoided by making use of absorbing materials in the
walls of halls and rooms.

2.Reverberation:
The presence of sound after the sounding source has stopped is known as
reverberation. It causes general confusion of sound impressions on ear. It can be
avoided by using absorbing things like carpet and curtains in halls and rooms.
3.Focusing of sound at certain spots:
The curved walls focus the sound waves at a certain spots. Thus sound cannot
be heard clearly at some places. It can be avoided by using flat walls instead of curved
walls.

CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS
1. Why the waves produced by simple pendulum cannot be heard?

Ans. The membrane of human ear can be vibrated by those sounds whose frequency is greater
than 20 Hz and below 20,000 Hz. In other words the audible frequency range for human ear is
20 Hz – 20,000 Hz.

The frequency of waves produced by simple pendulum is below 20 Hz. Which cannot
vibrate the membrane of ear and thus we cannot hear such sounds.

2. Why does the school bell produce a loud sound?

Ans. The loudness of sound depends upon the surface area of vibrating body. Greater is the
surface area of vibrating body, louder will be the sound produced by that body and vice versa.

Since we know that the surface area of a school bell is larger. So it produces louder
sound when struck due to its larger surface area.

3. Why the sound produced by a ‘dhool’ is louder than a ‘dhoolac’?

Ans. The loudness of sound depends upon the area of vibrating body i.e Greater the surface of
vibrating body, greater will be the loudness of sound produced by that body and vice versa.

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Since the surface area of a ‘dhool’ is greater than the surface of a ‘dhoolac’. So the
sound produced by a ‘dhool’ is louder than that of a ‘dhoolac’.

4. In which medium air or water, an echo is heard sooner and why?

Ans, the speed of sound depends upon the elasticity of the medium i.e. greater is the elasticity
of the medium, greater will be the speed of sound and vice versa.

As water is more elastic than air, so the speed of sound in water will be greater than
water. Thus an echo is heard sooner in water as compared to air.

5. If a ringing bicycle bell is held tightly by hand, it stops producing sound why?

Ans: a ringing bicycle bell produces sound due to vibrations. Now if we held the ring bell tightly
by hand, then its vibration s will stop as a result producing no sound.

6. Why sound cannot travel through vacuum?

Ans. The sound waves are longitudinal waves (mechanical waves). Thus needs a material
medium for their propagation. As in vacuum, there is no material medium, so sound waves
cannot travels through vacuum.

7. Why sound cannot be heard on moon?

Ans. . The sound waves are longitudinal waves (mechanical waves). Thus needs a material
medium for their propagation. As there is no material medium in the atmosphere of moon
through which sound waves can pass. Thus a sound cannot be heard on the moon.

8. When the wire of sitar is plucked. What of waves are produced in the air?

Ans. When the wire of sitar is plucked, then sound waves are produced in air. These sound
waves propagate through air in the form of longitudinal waves which consists of compressions
and rarefactions which are produced one after the other in a certain order.

9. How bats are able to fly at night without colliding with other objects?

Ans. While flying, the bat produces ultrasonic sound, which travels faster ahead. When an
object appears in their path, the ultrasonic reflects from that object and is received by the bat
in the form of echo. In this way, the bat comes to know about the object in their path and thus
change their path. Thus the bats remain safe from colliding with objects at night.

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Written and composed by:

SIR SULTAN
M.Sc.in APPLIED PHYSICS
&
ELECTRONIC ENGINEER

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