Sound Waves: Key Concepts and Vocabulary

This set of flashcards captures essential vocabulary related to sound waves, including definitions and key concepts from the lecture notes.

Sound Waves

Vibrations that travel through air, liquid, or solid, resulting in the perception of sound.

Compression

The squashing together of air particles due to vibrations.

Rarefaction

The spreading out of air particles after they have been compressed.

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Amplitude

The height of a wave, which determines the loudness of the sound; larger amplitude means louder sound.

Pitch

The perceived frequency of a sound, which determines how high or low it sounds.

Echo

A reflection of sound that arrives at the listener some time after the direct sound.

Ultrasound

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

Infrasound

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

Vibration

A rapid back and forth movement, which can create sound waves.