Understanding Pressure Waves and Sound Propagation

Pressure Waves

Sound propagation through compressible mediums like air.

Sound

Disturbance of particles in an elastic medium.

Source of Energy

Vibrating body initiating sound waves.

Transmitting Medium

Elastic medium allowing sound wave travel.

Receiving Mechanism

System for interpreting sound, like speech perception.

Vibration

To-and-fro movement around a resting position.

Periodic Vibration

Repeating vibration at equal time intervals.

Aperiodic Vibration

Non-repeating vibration without equal intervals.

Mass

Matter capable of vibratory motion.

Elasticity

Object's ability to return to original shape.

Inertia

Tendency to maintain current state of motion.

Damping

Forces causing energy loss in vibrations.

Pressure

Force exerted over a unit area (P=F/A).

Density

Mass per unit volume of air molecules.

Positive Pressure

Pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

Negative Pressure

Pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

State of Compression

Molecules close together, high pressure state.

State of Rarefaction

Molecules far apart, low pressure state.

Brownian Motion

Random motion of particles in a fluid.

Bumping Forces

Forces causing molecular movement in sound waves.

Recoil Force

Force returning an object to its original state.

Collisions

Interactions between densely packed air molecules.

High Density Areas

Regions of air with closely packed molecules.

Low Density Areas

Regions of air with spaced out molecules.

Condensation

Area of high pressure from compressed molecules.

Rarefaction Areas

Regions of low pressure with spread out molecules.