2. a range of compression wave frequencies to which the
SOUND
a range of compression wave
frequencies to which the
human ear is sensitive

3. extends from approximately
The audio spectrum
extends from approximately
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

4. Range of Some Common Sounds

5. Intensity Range for Some Common Sounds

6. 1. reeds 3. membranes 2. strings 4. air columns
Sounds are produced by vibrating matter.
1. reeds
3. membranes
2. strings
4. air columns
Sound is a mechanical wave (longitudinal).
It will not travel through a vacuum.

7. Sounds possess the
characteristics
and properties that
are common to all
waves.

8. Just like all longitudinal (compression) waves, sound waves possess a
velocity, frequency, wavelength,
phase, period, and amplitude.
Sound waves also reflect, refract,
diffract, and interfere.

9. The velocity of sound in air depends
on the air temperature. The speed of
sound in dry air is m/s at 0 ºC.
This speed
increases
with temperature: about 0.6 m/s
for every 1 ºC increase in temperature.

10. Sound generally travels fastest in solids and slowest in gases,
but there are some exceptions.
Medium Velocity (m/s) Medium Velocity (m/s)
Air Carbon dioxide 260
Helium Hydrogen 1270
Oxygen Water 1460
Sea water Mercury 1450
Glass Granite 5950
Lead Pine wood 3320
Copper Aluminium 5100

11. The human ear relates
amplitude to
loudness
and
frequency to
pitch.

12. Listen to various sound frequencies here
and mixtures of sound waves here.
Click here to make your own sound waves.
You should hear that frequency
relates to pitch and amplitude relates
to loudness (for a given frequency).

13. Click here to view a simulation of the refraction of sound waves.
Sound waves refract.
Click here to view a simulation
of the refraction of sound waves.

14. The interference of sound waves can cause “beats”
Click here and here to run computer
simulations of interfering sound waves
that result in discernable beats.
View interference “beats” here and here.
What are evidences of reflection
and the diffraction of sound?

15. * Fact * Resonance - the inducing All objects have a natural
frequency of vibration.
Resonance - the inducing
of vibrations of a natural
rate by a vibrating source
having the same frequency
“sympathetic vibrations”

16. Famous Bridge Collapses: Evidences of Resonance?
Tacoma Narrows link
Others link

17. closed-pipe resonator
A resonant air column is
simply a standing longitudinal
wave system, much like
standing waves on a string.
closed-pipe resonator
tube in which one end is open
and the other end is closed
open-pipe resonator
tube in which both ends
are open

18. l = {(1,3,5,7,…)/4} * l A closed pipe resonates when the length
of the air column is approximately
an odd number of quarter
wavelengths long.
l = {(1,3,5,7,…)/4} * l
With a slight correction for tube diameter,
we find that the resonant wavelength of a
closed pipe is given by the formula:
= 4 (l + 0.4d),
where  is the wavelength of sound,
l is the length of the closed pipe,
and d is the diameter of the pipe.

19. l = {(2,4,6,8,…)/4} * l An open pipe resonates when the length
of the air column is approximately
an even number of quarter
wavelengths long.
l = {(2,4,6,8,…)/4} * l
With a slight correction for tube diameter,
we find that the resonant wavelength of an
open pipe is given by the formula:
= 2 (l + 0.8d),
where  is the wavelength of sound,
l is the length of the closed pipe,
and d is the diameter of the pipe.

20. Click here to see a simulation of standing waves in a resonant tube
(closed and open).
Learn more about resonance here.

21. Why aren’t there “black keys” between every two “white keys” on a piano keyboard?

22. Can you look at this chart of notes and
Frequency (Hz) A
220 B
247 C
261.5 D
293.5 E
329.5 F
349 G
392
440
494
523
587
659
698
784
Can you look at this chart of notes and
frequencies for the “white keys” and decide where “black keys” should be placed?

23. Now look at a graph of those values. Does this graph help you decide?

24. Note
Frequency (Hz) A
220 B
247 C
261.5 D
293.5 E
329.5 F
349 G
392
440
494
523
587
659
698
784