Waves, light and sound (Sensation vs perception )

amplitude

height of a wave, measured from peak to trough

Wavelength

distance from one peak to next

frequency

number of waves passing a point per unit of time, measured in hertz

hertz

one cycle per second

Longer wavelength

lower frequency

Shorter wavelength

higher frequency

visible light is a part of the

electromagnetic spectrum

electromagnetic spectrum also includes

 radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, x rays, gamma rays

humans can see light with wavelengths of

380-740 nanometeres (nm)

Wavelength —> color —> red has l

onger wavelengtsh than blue

Amplitude —> brightness —> greater amplitude produces

brighter lights

red has … wavelength

longer

green has … wavelength

intermediate

blue/violet has … wavelength

shorter

sound waves and hearing produce different

perceptual experiences

frequency determines

pitch

high frequency —>

high pitch

low frequency —>

low pitch

Human audible range is

20-20000 Hz

Amplitude determines

loudness

loudness definition

how loud/quiet a sound seems

loudness is measured in

decibels (dB)

timbre is a quality that allows us to distinguish between

sounds, even when they have the same pitch and loudness

timbre is affected by

complex interaction fo a sound wave’s frequency, amplitude, timing