Definitions [39]
The time taken by the particle of the medium to complete its one vibration, is called the time period (T) of the wave.
Define sound ranging.
The process by which bats and dolphins detect the presence of an obstacle by hearing the echo of the sound produced by them is called sound ranging.
Define time period.
The time period of a particle executing S.H.M. is the time taken to complete one cycle and is denoted by T.
The linear distance between the two consecutive particles of a vibrating medium in the same phase is called its wavelength. It is denoted by the Greek letter lambda (λ).
The wavelength of a sound wave is the spatial distance over which the wave's shape repeats. Because sound is a longitudinal wave, it is specifically defined as the distance between two consecutive points in the same phase of vibration.
The number of vibrations made by the particle of the medium in one second, is called the frequency (j) of the wave.
A pattern which moves through material medium by repeated vibration of the particles of the medium about their mean position without the actual movement of matter is called a wave.
The distance travelled by the wave in one second is called the wave velocity (V).
The distance travelled by a wave in one time period of vibration of the particle of the medium, is called the wavelength (λ).
Our ears are sensitive only to a limited range of frequencies from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, which is called the audible range of frequency.
The sound of frequency above 20,000 Hz is called ultrasonic.
The sound of frequency below 20 Hz is called infrasonic.
When a sound wave travels in a medium, the maximum displacement of the particle of the medium on either side of its mean position, is called the amplitude (a) of the wave.
Waves in which a disturbance created at one place travels to distant points and keeps travelling unless stopped by an external force are called travelling or progressive waves.
The waves associated with a moving particle namely electrons, protons, atoms, etc. are called matter waves.
A wave in which particles of the medium vibrate in a direction parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave is called a longitudinal wave.
Waves that require a medium for their propagation are called mechanical waves.
Waves generated due to periodic oscillation of mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields; they do not necessarily require a medium for propagation.
Waves in which particles of the medium vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
Waves in which particles of the medium vibrate in a direction parallel to the direction of propagation.
Define progressive wave.
Waves in which a disturbance created at one place travels to distant points and keeps travelling unless stopped by an external force are known as travelling or progressive waves.
The distance covered by a wave per unit time is called velocity.
The state of oscillation of a particle is called its phase.
The number of vibrations performed by a particle per unit time is called frequency.
The minimum distance between two points having the same phase, or the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave, is called wavelength.
OR
The distance between two successive particles which are in the same state of vibration is called wavelength.
The time required to complete one vibration by a particle, i.e., the time taken by a particle of a medium to complete one vibration, is called period.
The magnitude of maximum displacement of the constituent particle of the medium from their equilibrium position, i.e., the largest displacement of a particle of a medium through which the wave is propagating from its rest position, is called amplitude.
Answer briefly.
Define amplitude.
Amplitude (A): The largest displacement of a particle of a medium through which the wave is propagating, from its rest position, is called the amplitude of that wave. SI unit is (m).
Answer briefly.
Define wavelength of a wave.
Wavelength (λ): The distance between two successive particles which are in the same state of vibration is called the wavelength of the wave. SI unit is (m).
A wave in which particles of the medium vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave is called a transverse wave.
A wave in which particles of the medium vibrate in a direction parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave is called a longitudinal wave.
The expression (kx − ωt + ϕ) which represents the position x and time t dependent term in the wave equation is called the argument of the wave and phase of the particle at x at time t.
Answer briefly.
What do you mean by an echo?
An echo is the repetition of the original sound because of reflection from some rigid surface at a distance from the source of sound.
The phenomenon of the persistence of sound in a closed enclosure, due to multiple reflections of sound from the walls even after the source has stopped producing sound, is called reverberation.
The repetition of the original sound due to reflection from some rigid surface is called echo.
The unique quality that distinguishes one sound from another even if they have the same pitch and loudness is called timbre.
The characteristic of sound that refers to the sharpness or shrillness of sound, determined by the frequency of the sound wave, is called pitch.
Answer briefly.
What is Doppler effect?
The apparent change in the frequency of sound heard by a listener, due to relative motion between the source of sound and the listener is called Doppler effect in sound.
When the source and the observer are in relative motion with respect to each other and to the medium in which sound propagates, the frequency of the sound wave observed is different from the frequency of the source. This phenomenon is called Doppler Effect.
The apparent change in frequency of sound heard by a listener due to relative motion between the source and the listener is called the Doppler effect.
Formulae [1]
A wave travelling along the positive X-axis is expressed as:
\[y(x,t)=a\sin(kx-\omega t+\phi)\]
Theorems and Laws [1]
When two or more pulses overlap, the resultant displacement is the algebraic sum of displacement due to each pulse.
Key Points
- Double Periodicity: A wave is periodic in both time and space.
- Phase indicates the position of a particle in its oscillation cycle.
- Frequency is measured in vibrations per second (Hz).
- Wavelength can also be understood as the distance between two successive particles in the same state of vibration.
- Amplitude is always measured from the rest (equilibrium) position of the particle.
| Feature | Transverse Waves | Longitudinal Waves |
|---|---|---|
| Particle vibration | Perpendicular to direction of propagation | Parallel to direction of propagation |
| Example | String waves | Sound waves |
| Medium of travel | Solids and surfaces of liquids only | Solids, liquids, and gases |
- Speed of sound is highest in solids, lower in liquids, and lowest in gases — it depends on the elastic properties and density of the medium.
- Pressure has no effect on speed of sound if temperature remains constant.
- Speed of sound increases with temperature: v∝Tv∝T.
- Speed of sound increases with humidity; frequency of sound remains unchanged when it travels from one medium to another.
- A sound-transmitting medium must have inertia, uniform density, elasticity, and less friction.
- For hearing a distinct echo, the reflecting surface must be at a minimum distance of 17.2 m.
- Higher frequency = Higher pitch; Lower frequency = Lower pitch.
- Greater amplitude = Louder sound; Lower amplitude = Softer sound. Loudness is measured in decibels (dB).
- Loudness of 20 dB is felt double that of 10 dB, but its intensity is 10 times that of 10 dB sound.
- Doppler effect is the apparent change in frequency of sound due to relative motion between the source and listener.
- If the velocity of the source and observer are not along the same line, their respective components along the line joining them must be used for the longitudinal Doppler effect.
- As the speed of light is absolute, for light waves only the relative velocity between the observer and source matters.
Concepts [16]
- Sound Waves
- Types of Waves
- Common Properties of All Waves
- Transverse Waves
- Longitudinal Waves
- Mathematical Expression of a Wave
- The Speed of Travelling Waves
- Principle of Superposition of Waves
- Echo, Reverberation and Acoustics
- Qualities of Sound
- Doppler Effect
- Source Moving and Listener Stationary
- Listener Approaching a Stationary Source with Velocity
- Both Source and Listener are Moving
- Common Properties between Doppler Effect of Sound and Light
- Major Differences between Doppler Effects of Sound and Light
