Sound Waves Flashcards
We hear sounds when ____ reach our ____
We hear sounds when vibrations reach our eardrums
Explain how soundwaves are caused
By vibrating objects
These mechanical vibrations are passed though the surrounding medium as a series of compressions
What type of wave are soundwaves?
Longitudinal
How do we hear sound? (4)
- When the vibrations travel from the vibrating object,
- through the surrounding medium (e.g. the air particles),
- into someone’s ear
- until it reaches their eardrum.
Sound generally travels ____ in solids than in liquids, and ____ in liquids than in gases
Sound generally travels faster in solids than in liquids, and faster in liquids than in gases
Why can’t sound travel in space?
Because space is mostly a vacuum
(there are no particles)
What will soundwaves be reflected by?
Hard, flat surfaces
Why does noise made in a big, empty room sound completely different to one with furniture, carpet, and curtains in it?
Because the furniture, carpet, and curtains all absorb the sound quickly and stop it echoing around the room
What is are echoes?
Reflected sound waves
Why do you hear a delay between the original sound and the echo?
Because the echoed sound waves have to travel further, and take longer to reach your ears
When do sound waves refract?
As they enter different media
As soundwaves enter denser media, they ____ ____
(refraction)
As soundwaves enter denser media, they speed up
(refraction)
Why is it hard to hear the refraction of soundwaves as they enter different media under normal circumstances?
Because they are always spreading out so much
The higher the frequency…
… The higher the pitch
The lower the frequency…
… The lower the pitch
