Sound waves

Question 1

Amplitude on a sound wave

Answer 1

The amplitude on a sound wave is characterised by the difference in pressure between the compressions and rarefactions of the wave. So a wave with small difference in pressure between the compressions and rarefactions means that the disturbance is small, therefore the amplitude is small, therefore the sound produced is less in volume.

Question 2

Hearing range of humans

Answer 2

20-20,000Hz

Question 3

What are sound waves

Answer 3

Sound waves are longitudinal waves which are caused by the periodic pressurisation of air particles

Question 4

How does sound propagate

Answer 4

a source causes disturbance within the particles surrounding it, by compressing the particles in front of it causing compressions and rarefactions which are sound waves.

Question 5

What causes sound waves?

Answer 5

a source causes disturbance within the particles surrounding it, which pressurises the particles and causes compressions and rarefactions to form, which is sound

Question 6

How does speed of sound in various materials vary

Answer 6

The more dense a medium is, the faster the sound will travel, this is because there are more particles that can interact (bump into) to cause disturbance. When a particle is less dense like a gas, then sound takes more time to travel as the particles are sparse position.

Question 7

Describe how a loudspeaker produces sound waves

Answer 7

The loudspeaker compresses air particles in front of it as it pushes outward. This compression is the disturbance that travels through the air.

Question 8

How do sound waves relate to pressure?

Answer 8

Because sound waves are produced by the fluctuation between high and low pressure.