Introduction to Sound Waves and Their Properties

Flashcards covering key concepts related to sound waves including their properties, behavior, and human hearing.

Speed of Sound

The speed at which sound wave travels in a medium, determined by the medium's properties.

Frequency

The number of vibrations or oscillations per second in a wave, measured in hertz (Hz).

Wavelength

The distance between consecutive crests or troughs in a wave, influenced by the medium.

Infrasonic Waves

Sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz, inaudible to humans.

Ultrasonic Waves

Sound waves with frequencies above 20,000 Hz, inaudible to humans.

Amplitude

The magnitude of the wave's pressure variation, affecting the loudness of the sound.

Hearing Range

The range of sound frequencies that can be heard by humans, typically 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Echo

A reflection of sound that arrives at the listener a short time after the original sound.

Reverberation

The persistence of sound in a space due to multiple reflections.

Reflection

The bouncing of sound waves off a surface.

Refraction

The bending of sound waves caused by a change in speed as they pass through different media.

Sonar

A technology that uses sound waves to detect objects underwater or locate fish.

Natural Frequency

The frequency at which an object naturally vibrates when disturbed.

Resonance

The phenomenon that occurs when the frequency of forced vibrations matches an object's natural frequency, resulting in increased amplitude.

Forced Vibrations

Vibrations caused by an external force rather than by the natural frequency of the object.

Acoustics

The branch of physics that studies sound, its production, transmission, and effects.

Longitudinal Wave

A wave in which the displacement of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave's propagation, characteristic of sound waves.