Transmission of Sound Waves

what kind of wave are sound waves?

Sound waves are longitudinal waves

How do sound waves transfer energy?

They transfer energy by the molecules vibrating and knocking into neighbouring molecules

What affects how quickly sound waves transfer energy?

The more molecules that are present the faster the wave can transfer energy

In what states do sound waves travel fastest and slowest in?

• Sound waves travel fastest in solids

• Sound waves travel slowest in gases

What happens when sound waves move from one medium to another?

• When sound waves move from one medium to another, there will be changes to its:

  • Wave speed

  • Frequency

  • Wavelength

How can the relationship between the wave speed, wavelength and frequency be determined?

using the wave equation

What can the change in velocity result in?

• This change in velocity can also result in a change of direction of the sound wave

  • This phenomenon is also known as refraction

What happens when sound moves from a denser medium to a less dense medium?

• The wavelength of the sound wave decreases

• The frequency of the sound wave stays the same

• The velocity of the sound wave decreases

What happens when sound moves from a less dense medium to a denser medium?

• The wavelength of the sound wave increases

• The frequency of the sound wave stays the same

• The velocity of the sound wave also increases

What else affects the speed of sound in air and how?

• The speed of sound in air is also affected by temperature

  • On warm days, air molecules move faster, hence they carry sound waves faster, increasing the speed of sound

  • On cold days, air molecules move at a slower pace, so they carry sound waves at a slower pace, decreasing the speed of sound