sound definitions

Question 1

sound

Answer 1

sound is a form of energy that travels by longitudinal mechanical waves

Question 2

natural frequency

Answer 2

natural frequency is the frequency that a body oscillates at when vibrating freely

Question 3

resonance

Answer 3

resonance is the transfer of energy from one body to another that has similar natural frequency

Question 4

stationary wave

Answer 4

a stationary wave is a wave that remains in a constant position, it is made of nodes and antinodes

Question 5

node

Answer 5

nodes are the points where there is no vibration

Question 6

antinode

Answer 6

antinodes are the points where there is maximum vibration

Question 7

fundamental frequency

Answer 7

fundamental frequency is the lowest natural frequency of a vibrating object

Question 8

harmonics

Answer 8

harmonics are multiples of the fundamental frequency

Question 9

‘quality’ of a note

Answer 9

the ‘quality’ of a note describes the shape of the sound wave, it depends on the number and amplitudes of the harmonics present

Question 10

sound intensity

Answer 10

the sound intensity is the rate at which sound energy passes through unit area at right angles to the direction of the propagation of the wave

Question 11

threshold of hearing

Answer 11

the threshold of hearing is the smallest sound intensity detectable by the average human ear at a frequency of 1kHz

Question 12

sound intensity level

Answer 12

the sound intensity level is a scale that compares a particular sound intensity to the threshold of hearing

Question 13

dB (A) scale

Answer 13

the dB (A) scale is a sound intensity level scale that has been adapted for the ear’s frequency response