Speech and Voice Science

Basic Physics Concepts

• Speed: The rate at which an object moves, calculated as distance traveled per unit of time (Speed = Distance/Time). It has no direction.

• Velocity: Speed with a direction (e.g., 50 mph north).

• Uniform Motion: Motion in which an object moves at a constant speed in a straight line.

• Acceleration: The rate at which velocity changes over time. It can involve speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.

• Inertia: The tendency of an object to resist changes in motion (Newton's First Law).

• Momentum: The product of an object's mass and velocity (Momentum = Mass × Velocity).

• Work: The energy transferred when a force is applied to an object and it moves in the direction of the force (Work = Force × Distance).

States of Matter

• Solid: Fixed shape and volume.

• Liquid: Fixed volume but takes the shape of its container.

• Gas: Neither a fixed shape nor volume; expands to fill its container.

Sound Waves & Wave Concepts

• Wave: A disturbance that transfers energy through a medium.

• Two Types of Periodic Waves:

  • Transverse Waves: Particles move perpendicular to wave motion (e.g., water waves).

  • Longitudinal Waves: Particles move parallel to wave motion (e.g., sound waves).

• Sound Waves: Longitudinal mechanical waves that require a medium (air, water, or solid) to travel.

• Periodic vs. Aperiodic Sounds:

  • Periodic Sounds: Have repeating wave patterns (e.g., musical notes).

  • Aperiodic Sounds: Random and non-repeating (e.g., noise).

• Three Properties of Sound Waves:

  • Frequency: How often a wave cycles per second (measured in Hz).

  • Amplitude: The height of the wave, which determines loudness.

  • Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive points in a wave.

• Fundamental Frequency: The lowest frequency in a complex tone, determining pitch.

• Incident & Reflected Waves:

  • Incident Wave: The original wave that strikes a surface.

  • Reflected Wave: The wave that bounces back.

Resonance & Harmonics

• Resonance: When an object vibrates at its natural frequency due to external vibrations.

• Factors Affecting Natural Frequency: Material, size, shape, and tension.

• Harmonics: Multiples of the fundamental frequency:

  • First Harmonic: The fundamental frequency.

  • Second Harmonic: Twice the fundamental frequency.

  • Third Harmonic: Three times the fundamental frequency.

• Free Vibration: When an object vibrates on its own after an initial force.

• Forced Vibration: When an object vibrates due to another source’s vibration.

• Resonator: An object that amplifies certain frequencies.

Respiration & Boyle’s Law

• Boyle’s Law: Pressure and volume are inversely related (if volume increases, pressure decreases and vice versa). This explains how air moves in and out of the lungs.

• Lungs & Diaphragm:

  • Lungs: Not made of muscle but elastic tissue that expands and contracts.

  • Diaphragm: A dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that controls breathing.

• Breathing Process:

  • Inhalation: The diaphragm contracts, increasing lung volume and decreasing pressure, drawing air in.

  • Exhalation: The diaphragm relaxes, decreasing lung volume and increasing pressure, pushing air out.