Physics Notes
6.1 – Loudness and pitch of sound
Keywords:
Wavelength
Period
Amplitude
Vibration
Oscillation
Elasticity
Crest
Trough
Frequency
Medium
Pitch
Interference
Loudness
Definitions:
Wavelength – The length from one wave's highest point to the next wave’s highest point.
Period – The time taken for one oscillation is called the Period. (T)
Amplitude - Refers to the maximum distance a wave reaches from its resting position. It is
the height of the crest or trough. Also, the maximum displacement of the molecule from its
resting position is amplitude. (A)
Vibration – The to and fro or back and forth motion of an object.
Oscillation – vibration is also called oscillation. The back-and-forth motion of an object.
Elasticity – The ability of an object to resume its normal shape after being stretched or
compressed.
Crest - The crest of a sound wave is the highest point or peak of the wave. In a sound wave,
the crest is where the air pressure is at its maximum, creating the highest point of the wave.
This is what our ears perceive as the loudest or highest part of a sound.
Loudness – How quiet or loud a sound appears.
Trough - The trough of a sound wave is the lowest point or dip in the wave. In a sound wave,
the trough represents the point where the air pressure is at its minimum, creating the lowest
part of the wave. Our ears perceive this as the quietest or lowest point in a sound.
Frequency – The number of oscillations per second (hertz (Hz))
Pitch – How low or how high a sound is.
Interference – When two or more sound waves from different sources are present at the
same time, they interact with each other to form a new wave. Wave interaction is called
interference
Medium – The material or substance through which a wave travels.
Loudness and Pitch
1. The loudness of a sound depends on the amplitude of the sound wave. The greater the
amplitude of a sound wave, the louder the sound is.
2. The pitch of a sound is how high or low the sound is.
3. The pitch of sound is determined by its frequency. The higher the frequency, the higher the
pitch.
Propagation of Sound Wave
1. A sound wave is a mechanical wave that requires a medium for its propagation.
Therefore, sound waves cannot propagate in a vacuum.
2. The medium for propagation can be solid, liquid, or gas.
3. Sound waves propagate fastest in solids and slowest in gas.
Speed of Sound Wave
The speed of sound waves in solids is greater than in liquids, which is greater than in gases.
The speed of air is also affected by temperature.
Period
The time taken by the particles of the medium to complete its one vibration is called the period of
the wave.
The period is represented by the letter T.
The SI unit is seconds.
Longitudinal waves
A longitudinal wave is one where all the particles of the medium (such as gas, liquid, or solid) vibrate
in the same direction as the wave. Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
When longitudinal waves travel through any given medium, they also include compressions and
rarefactions. Compression occurs when particles move close together creating regions of high
pressure.
- Why does Sound travel fastest in solids and liquids compared to gases?
This is because, in solids and liquids the particles are more closely in contact. So, it's easier for the
vibration to hit the next particle. Hence, the more densely the particles are arranged the faster the
sound travels.
- How does temperature affect the sound in the air? Why does sound travel faster in the air if
the temperature is high?
When the temperature is high the particles move faster. When the temperature is higher the
particles in gases collide more often, passing on the vibrations.
- Why are sound waves called Longitudinal?
Sound waves are called longitudinal because they oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation,
forming the compressions.
- Why do vibrating objects that are shorter make a higher pitch than those that are longer?
Shorter objects make shorter vibrations meaning faster back-and-forth movements, resulting
in a higher-pitched sound. Longer vibrations mean slower movements, leading to a lower-
pitched sound.
