Wave Basics
Energy Transfer
Sound and Matter
Our Perception
More Waves
100
What is frequency?
The number of complete waves that pass a point in a given time.
100
How do sound waves transfer energy?
By vibrating particles in the medium they travel through.
100
What phase of matter does sound travel faster in?
Travels faster in solids due to closely packed particles.
100
Decreasing "b" will cause what to happen to the sound?
?
The pitch (and frequency) will increase. It would sound like a higher note.
100
What is the formula for calculating the frequency of a wave?
f = 1/(time it takes to complete one cycle)
or
Frequency = Number of vibrations รท Time
200
What is amplitude?
The height of a wave from the rest position to its crest.
200
Role of amplitude in energy transfer?
Higher amplitude means more energy transfer.
200
Compare the speed of sound in liquids and gases.
Sound travels faster in liquids than gases due to particle density.
200
How does the amplitude of a sound wave relate to the loudness of the sound?
The amplitude of a sound wave is related to the loudness of the sound; larger amplitudes correspond to louder sounds.
200
What is the amplitude of this wave?
1000mm
300
Define wavelength
The distance between two corresponding parts of a wave.
300
Frequency's effect on energy transfer?
Higher frequency can increase energy transfer, but much LESS than amplitude.
300
Describe how particle collisions are involved in sound?
Sound travels through particle collisions in the medium, creating areas of high-density particles and areas of low-density particles.
300
Explain how sound travels through different mediums (like air, water, and solids) and how this affects sound quality.
Sound travels through different mediums at different speeds; it travels fastest in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases. This affects sound quality, as some materials can absorb or reflect sound differently.
You also lose energy as it transfers between mediums which is why sounds will sound muffled when you hear it through a wall.
300
Explain the differences between analog and digital signals in transmitting sound information.
Analog signals transmit sound information as continuous waves, while digital signals represent sound as discrete values or samples, allowing for clearer sound quality and easier manipulation. But while digital signals are more clear they actually have less information and are an approximation of the analog wave.
400
Relationship between frequency and pitch?
Higher frequency results in a higher pitch.
400
What will have more energy, a wave where you double the frequency or a wave where you double the amplitude?
Higher amplitude.
As frequency doubles the energy transferred increases 2x
As amplitude doubles the energy transferred increases 4x
400
Describe the properties of a medium that have an effect on sound speed?
The denser the medium, the faster the sound travels.
400
What happens to the sound waves when more force is applied to an object?
When more force is applied to an object, it causes bigger vibrations, which results in louder sounds.
400
How does the length of an object affect its vibration frequency?
The length of an object affects its vibration frequency; shorter objects vibrate at higher frequencies and produce higher pitches, while longer objects vibrate at lower frequencies and produce lower pitches.
500
If you change amplitude, what does that do to the frequency?
Nothing! Frequency and amplitude are not related at all!
500
Example of energy transfer in sound waves?
Vibrations from a speaker transferring energy to air particles. These particles can make other things vibrate, eardrums, windows, etc.
500
Why is the expression, "in space no one can hear you scream", accurate?
Sound cannot travel in a vacuum as there are no particles to transmit it.
Sound needs a medium to travel in/on or through. The energy needs to be physically passed to something else to make it vibrate for sound to move (propagate).
500
Describe how the cochlea and hair cells in the ear detect sound and send signals to the brain.
The cochlea is a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that contains hair cells. These hair cells detect sound vibrations and convert them into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.
500
Which sound waves is the softest? How can you tell?
#1 has the smallest amplitude of the options.
Smaller amplitudes correspond to softer sounds.