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Practice each question, then open the answer or worked solution.
Which wave property determines (a) loudness, (b) pitch?
(a) Amplitude – The loudness of the sound and its amplitude is directly related to each other. The larger the amplitude, the louder the sound.
(b) Frequency – The pitch of the sound and its frequency is directly related to each other. If the pitch is high, then the frequency of sound is also high.
Guess which sound has a higher pitch: guitar or car horn?
The pitch of a sound is directly proportional to its frequency. Therefore, the guitar has a higher pitch when compared to a car horn.
What are the wavelength, frequency, time period and amplitude of a sound wave?
(a) Wavelength – Wavelength can be defined as the distance between two consecutive rarefactions or two consecutive compressions. The SI unit of wavelength is metre (m).
(b) Frequency – Frequency is defined as the number of oscillations per second. The SI unit of frequency is hertz (Hz).
(c) Amplitude – Amplitude can be defined as the maximum height reached by the trough or crest of a sound wave.
(d) Time period – The time period is defined as the time required to produce one complete cycle of a sound wave.
How are the wavelength and frequency of a sound wave related to its speed?
Wavelength, speed, and frequency are related in the following way:
Speed = Wavelength x Frequency
v = λ ν
Calculate the wavelength of a sound wave whose frequency is 220 Hz and speed is 440 m/s in a given medium.
Given that,
Frequency of sound wave = 220 Hz
Speed of sound wave = 440 m/s
Calculate wavelength.
We know that
Speed = Wavelength × Frequency
v = λ ν
440 = Wavelength × 220
Wavelength = 440/220
Wavelength = 2
Therefore, the wavelength of the sound wave = 2 metres
A person is listening to a tone of 500 Hz, sitting at a distance of 450 m from the source of the sound. What is the time interval between successive compressions from the source?
The time interval between successive compressions from the source is equal to the time period, and the time period is reciprocal to the frequency. Therefore, it can be calculated as follows:
T= 1/F
T= 1/500
T = 0.002 s
Distinguish between loudness and intensity of sound.
The amount of sound energy passing through an area every second is called the intensity of a sound wave. Loudness is defined by its amplitude.