Properties & Characteristics of Sound

Physics & psychophysics of sound

Physical property of sound

Series of waves transmitted through a medium

Psychophysical properties of sound

1. An auditory experience (sound)

2. Perception of pitch, loudness, and localization

Sound is a ________ wave

Pressure

Longitudinal waves

The displacement of the medium is parallel to the direction the wave travels

Oscillation

Back and forth motion repeated over time

Compression

A temporary increase in pressure and density (of molecules)

Rarefaction

Temporary decrease in pressure and density, resulting in a region of a wave having spread out particles

Period

The time it takes for 1 complete cycle of oscillation to complete

Wavelength

Distance between two points in the same phase (crest to crest, trough to trough)

Frequency

Cycles per second, vibrations per second of the vocal folds.

Measured in Hz, subjectively interpreted as PITCH.

(Formula = 1/T) T = period

Amplitude

How much oscillation is happening, the maximum displacement of particles from their resting state. Measured in dB; subjectively interpreted as LOUDNESS.

Periodicity

Whether the waveform repeats

Relationship between wavelength and period

Directly proportional

Relationship between Period and frequency

Inverse

Relationship between Wavelength and frequency

Inverse

Pure tone

A single frequency, sinusoidal (sine) wave that humans perceive as a beep

Aperiodic

No identifiable repeating pattern within a waveform

dB SPL

Decibel sound pressure level