Physics Classroom: Properties of Sound Waves

The Physics Classroom

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/sound/

Lesson 1: The Nature of a Sound Wave

Select: Sound is a Mechanical Wave

1. How is sound defined?

2. What is a description of a wave?

3. List three ways a sound wave is similar to a slinky wave:

a)

b)

c)

4. Why is a sound wave classified as a mechanical wave?

5. Explain why a tuning fork mounted on a sound box will produce a louder sound when struck with a mallet.

Select: Back Then Select: Sound is a Longitudinal Wave

6. Explain how a sound wave is transported through the medium.

7. Explain in terms of presser change that take place with a vibrating spring why sound waves are classified as longitudinal waves.

Physics Classroom: Sound P. 2

8. What is the essential characteristic of a sound wave that classifies it as longitudinal regardless of the source of the wave?

Select: Back Then Select: Speed of Sound from Lesson 2

Select the link: Pressure Disturbance. Scroll down. View the animation.

9. Define compression in a longitudinal wave

10. Define rarefaction in a longitudinal wave

11. Make a sketch of a longitudinal wave and indicate how on this wave pattern the wavelength would be measured.

Select: Back

12. How is the frequency of a wave different from the speed of the wave?

13. Upon what does the speed of any wave depend?

14. Which two properties affect the speed of sound ?

15. Why is steel considered more elastic then a rubber band?

Physics Classroom: Sound P. 3

16. Why does sound travel faster in solids then through a gas?

17. How does density affect the speed of sound through materials?

18. What is the equation for calculating the speed of sound through air?

19. Show how the velocity of sound when air is 20 ^oC was calculated

20. Repeat this calculation for the speed of sound when air is 15 ^oC:
1. 15 ^oC:

2. 50 oC