Sound and Echoes Flashcards

Flashcards about sound, soundwaves, echoes, and volume

Sound

An energy which is caused by vibration and creates soundwaves.

Sound Caused By

Sound is caused by vibrations and the energy is transferred as waves.

Why No Sound in a Vacuum?

No particles are present to transmit the sound waves.

Sound Needs

A medium (solid, liquid, or gas) is needed to travel.

Loud Sound Wave Diagram

A loud sound will have a high amplitude (high crest).

Soft Sound Wave Diagram

A soft sound will have a low amplitude (low crest).

Why Listen at a Low Volume

To not damage your hearing (stereocilia - hair cells).

Solid

Fastest medium that sound can travel.

Gas

Slowest medium that sound can travel.

Sound Travels Fastest In Solids Because

Solid particles are close together and can transfer energy or the vibrations to next particles faster.

Sound Travels Slower In Liquids Because

Liquid particles are slightly apart and takes a bit more time to transfer the energy or vibrations.

Sound Travels Slowest In Gases Because

Gas particles are far apart and takes a longer time to transfer the energy or vibrations.

Human Hearing Range

20Hz to 20kHz (Human Audio Spectrum)

Independent Variable (Volume Experiment)

Location

Dependent Variable (Volume Experiment)

Volume of sound

Control Variable (Volume Experiment)

Same sound meter and time duration in each location (2 minutes)

Echo

A repeated sound that is caused by the reflection of soundwaves on hard surfaces.

How to Muffle Sound

Use or cover the walls with soft material to absorb soundwaves.

How Bats and Dolphins Use Echo

Bats and dolphins use echo by emitting sound or clicking sound for it to reflect off walls and go back to them. They use echo to detect prey, obstacles, and danger.

How the Bottom of the Ocean Can Be Mapped Using Echo

Ships use sonar radar. If the ocean bed is close to the ship, the soundwaves will reflect faster.

Independent variable (Echo Calculation)

Distance

Dependent variable (Echo Calculation)

Speed of sound

Controlled variable (Echo Calculation)

Volume of sound, type of surface