Hearing
What is the lowest frequency that humans can typically hear, in Hz?
20 Hz
What is the term for sound that is above the range of human hearing?
Ultrasound
True or false: Sound requires some kind of medium to transmit energy
True. Sound cannot travel in a vaccuum.
True or False: Echoes occur when a sound cannot pass through a surface
True
What are the three main categories of instruments?
Strings, Percussion, Wind
What is the highest frequency that humans can typically hear, in Hz?
20,000 Hz
Name at least two animals that can hear higher frequencies than humans
dolphins, bats, dogs, cats
What type of wave can travel in a vaccuum?
Light
When a material takes in some of a wave's energy rather than reflecting it, what is this called?
Absorption
Name 2 brass instruments
tuba, trombone, trumpet, french horn, euphonium, mellophone, etc
What characteristic of sound is most likely to affect potential hearing loss?
Intensity (decibels)
What is the term for the specific rate at which an object tends to oscillate, vibrate, or swing when it is disturbed or plucked?
Natural (fundamental) frequency
In which medium does sound travel faster: water or steel?
steel
There are two angles involved in an echo off a surface. What are they?
Angle of incidence, angle of reflection
Name 3 woodwind instruments
flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, English horn, etc
What sound intensity, in decibels, can cause immediate, permanent injury?
What kind of waves are typically between 1-4 Hz, and can damage tall buildings?
Seismic (Earthquakes)
What is the approximate speed of sound in miles per hour, in air?
(Within 25 mph)
767
What do you call a room that has complete absorption of emitted sounds?
Anechoic Chamber
Where is percussion located in an orchestra arrangement and why?
In the back, the instruments are loud and the musicians need to move around between them
With prolonged exposure of 2-8 hours, what sound intensity (in decibels) can cause hearing loss?
85 dB
Why might a crystal goblet shatter at the opera?
What is the term for the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound?
Mach
What is the profession of someone who studies sound and vibration, and who might be very involved in designing theaters or concert space?
Acoustical Engineer
Which classical musical period featured a harpsichord in the center of the musicians, rather than a conductor?
Baroque
(But then it was fixed.)