Nature of Sound


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Nature of Sound

Nature of sound:  Sound is a form of energy which produces a sensation of hearing in our ears. It is a vibration that propagates through a medium in the form of a mechanical wave. If there is no medium to vibrate then no sound  is possible, sound cannot travel in a vaccum.

Reflection of sound: Sound reflects from  a smooth surface in the same way the light does. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.When a sound hits a hard surface, it reflects back to its source This reflection of the sound is called as echo. Sometimes, we hear multiple echoes from a source of the sound if the area is large and has multiple reflecting surfaces such as valleys and huge empty rooms. This phenomenon is known as reverbration. 

Different sources produce different sounds: Sound produced by a guitar is different from produced by a drum. This is because the sound produced by different sources have different characteristics.Sound can be characterized by its frequency, wavelength and amplitude.

Speed of sound and light: The speed of sound in air is about 344 m/s at 22°C and 331 m/sec at 0°C and the speed of light in air is 3times10^8:m/s Thus, speed of light is very great as compared to the speed of sound. It is observed that in the rainy season, the flash of lighting is seen first and the sound of thunder is heard a little later, though both are produced at the same time in clouds. It is because of very high speed of light due to which we see the flash of lightning first and it is because of low speed of sound that the thunder is heard a little later.

Speed of sound in different media: Sound propagates through a medium at a finite speed. The medium can be a solid substance, a liquid or a gas. These are called material media. The speed of sound depends on the properties of medium through which it travels. The speed of sound in a medium depends on temperature of the medium. The speed of sound decreases when we go from solid to gaseous state. If temperature of the medium increases, then speed of sound also increases.

NOTE: SONIC BOOM: When the speed of any object exceeds the speed of sound, it is said to have supersonic speed. Many objects such as some aircrafts, bullets and rockets, etc, travel at supersonic speeds. When a sound producing source moves with a speed higher than that of sound, it produces shock waves in air, which carry a large amount of energy. The tremendous air pressure variations caused by the shock waves produce a loud burst of sound is known as sonic boom. It produces untolerable loud noise which causes pain in our ears. The shock waves produced by a supersonic aircraft have enough energy to shatter glass and can even damage buildings.

Sample Questions
(More Questions for each concept available in Login)
Question : 1

Which of the following medium for propagation.

Right Option : C
View Explanation
Explanation
Question : 2

Which of the following is carried by the waves from one place to another ?

Right Option : D
View Explanation
Explanation
Question : 3

A person, pressing his ear on the railway tracks can hear an approaching train.This is possible due to:

Right Option : C
View Explanation
Explanation
Chapters
Pre-Historic Period
Indus Valley Civilization
Vedic Civilization
Religious Reform Movement
The Early Kingdoms
The Mauryan Empire
Post Mauryan Period
The Age Of The Guptas
Post Gupta Era
Age of Rajput
Khilji Dynasty
Slave Dynasty
Tughlaq and Sayyid Dynasty
Vijaynagar Empire And Bahamani Kingdom
Mughal Empire And Beyond
Lodhi Dynasty
Cholas, Chalukyas and Pallavas
Arab Invasions
Bhakti and Sufi Movement
Rise of Sikhs, Jats and Marathas
Administrative Structure of Delhi Sultanate
Architecture During Medivial India
Advent Of The Europeans
Post Mughal Period
Rise of New States in 18th Century
Growth of British Paramountacy
Socio Religious Reforms
Constitutional Development of India
Indian Struggle Against British Rule
The Revolt Of 1857
Education Under British Rule
Role of Press in Freedom Struggle
First Phase of National Movement
Second Phase of National Movement
Third Phase of National Movement
Constitutional Development in India
Constituent Assembly
Union And Its Territory
Structure of Indian Constitution
Fundamental Rights and Duties
The Union Executive
The Union Legislature
Constitutional Amendments and Provisions
Judiciary In India
Emergency Provisions
Center - State Relations
The State Executive
The State Legislature
Election Commission Of India
Constitutional Organisation
Non-Constitutional Organisation
Local Self Goverment
India - Size And Location
Geological History Of India
The Physical Features Of India
Climate Of India
Soils In India
Natural Vegetation
Windlife Conservation In India
Drainage System of India
Irrigation System Of India
Agriculture In India
Livestock And Fisheries In India
Minerals And Energy Resources In India
Means Of Transport In India
Major Industries In India
Tribes of India
Census of India 2011
Music
Dance
Theatre
Pantings
Art, Architecture & Culture of India
Bio-Diversity
Earth And Its Structure
Land Rock And Soil
Atmosphere, Climate And Weather
Oceanography
Human And Regional Geography
Economic Growth And Development
Sectors Of Indian Economy
Economic Planning Of India
Fiscal And Monetary Policy In India
Infrastructure In India
Effects Of British Rule On Indian Economy
National Income
Banking System In India
Poverty And Unemployment
Inflation And Trade Cycles
Major Institutions
Environmental Studies
Tissues In Organism
Cytology
Classifucation Of Plants
Structural Composition Of Plants
Nutrition In Plants, Harmones And Plant Disease
Ecosystem
Classification In Animals
Nutrition In Animals
Human Digestive System
Human Respiratory System
Human Skeleton System
Human Excretory System
Human Nervous System
Human Circulatory System
Human Endocrine System
Human Reproductive System
Genetics
Human Diseases
States Of Matter
Metals And Non Metals
Acid Bases And Salts
Element Compounds And Mixture
Physical And Chemical Change
Carbon And Its Compounds
Periodic Classification
Fuel, Combustion And Flame
Environmental Chemistry
Rest And Motion
Work Power And Energy
Gravitation
Pressure And Its Effects
Simple Harmonic Motion
Sound and Waves
Heat And Temperature
Light - Reflection
Electricity And Magnetism
Modern Physics
Science And Technology
Force And The Laws Of Motion
Light - Refraction
Dispersion And Human Eye
Magnetic Effect Of Electric Current
Atom And Molecule
Chemistry In Everyday Life
Units And Dimensions
Content / Category
Class / Course
 
 


Students / Parents Reviews [10]