Sound wave Definition and 17 Discussions

In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid.
In human physiology and psychology, sound is the reception of such waves and their perception by the brain. Only acoustic waves that have frequencies lying between about 20 Hz and 20 kHz, the audio frequency range, elicit an auditory percept in humans. In air at atmospheric pressure, these represent sound waves with wavelengths of 17 meters (56 ft) to 1.7 centimetres (0.67 in). Sound waves above 20 kHz are known as ultrasound and are not audible to humans. Sound waves below 20 Hz are known as infrasound. Different animal species have varying hearing ranges.

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  1. V

    Reflection of sound wave in an open organ pipe

    I know that standing waves form in an open organ pipe. Since, standing waves can only form from superposition of original wave and reflected wave, so there must be a reflected wave in an open organ pipe. But I fail to understand how sound wave can reflect at the open end of organ pipe.
  2. bubble-flow

    Oscillation of a particle inside water caused by a sound wave

    I don't really know where to start as this is not exactly my homework and I finished school some 15 years ago. I looked into my old high school notes, the last time I ever had anything about mechanical waves and sound. Unfortunately, we never learned anything about sound waves causing...
  3. Cc518

    Calculating τ by knowing I is proportional to A^2

    Homework Statement A vibrating standing wave on a string radiates a sound wave with intensity proportional to the square of the standing-wave amplitude. When a piano key is struck and held down, so that the string continues to vibrate, the sound level decreases by 8.0 dB in 1.0 s. What is the...
  4. H

    Frequency for resonance to occur

    Homework Statement That is a speaker. Sound wave is sent out from spesker S into pipe of uniform thickness. Piston P move to left 1st resonance at 0.045 m 2nd resonance at 0.151 m Frequency of the sounx 1620 Hz Piston is stopped at the position that 2nd resonance occur Then, frequency...
  5. F

    I Need to Calculate the Speed of Sound for a Lab

    Homework Statement Calculate the speed of sound in the classroom. You can use: Tuning forks, water, beaker, pvc pipe, ringstands, etc. Homework Equations v = f(wavelength) For fundamental frequency: L = 1/4(wavelength) For fundamental frequency: f = v/4L The Attempt at a Solution Here is...
  6. K

    Pitch and amplitude of sound wave Vs its volume

    Hi. If I know the pitch and amplitude of a sound wave, will I be able to calculate its volume. I can understand volume of devices vary betwerb brands and other categories. For the sake of discussion, let's assume volume to be a consistent unit or if db is the right unit, let's take that.
    • k.udhay
    • Thread
    • db sound sound wave volume
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Mechanics
  7. D

    Do light and sound waves roll up and break like ocean waves?

    When sea waves approach the shore they roll up and break due to different velocities of water layers formed due to the gradual change in water depth. The highest wave peaks move faster than all other layers and thus falls down. All other layers fall the same way but in a delay. this ends up with...
    • Dilema
    • Thread
    • sound wave wave
    • Replies: 52
    • Forum: Optics
  8. L

    Pressure variation with sound waves equation

    Homework Statement P(average) for a speaker is 10 W. Gamma is 1.4 (ratio of specific heats), molar mass is 28.8 g/mol, air temperature is 50F, and pressure is 1atm. Find Pmax at 100 I have this equation that gives Intensity = (Pmax^2)/(2*Rho*v) where rho is density, and v is speed of sound...
  9. B

    Sound wave -- positive and negative frequency?

    does ever sound wave have a positive and negative frequency?
  10. Surya97

    Why is there a set speed of sound in a certain medium?

    Why does sound always move at the local speed of sound in a medium (in other words, why is there a set speed of sound for certain medium)? I understand that sound is a compression wave, but shouldn't a louder sound (i.e. one with a higher amplitude) move faster? What about a higher pitch noise...
  11. i_hate_math

    Sound Wave Problem

    Homework Statement A handclap on stage in an amphitheater sends out sound waves that scatter from terraces of width w = 0.967 m (see the figure). The sound returns to the stage as a periodic series of pulses, one from each terrace; the parade of pulses sounds like a played note. (a) Assuming...
  12. steven george

    I Frequencies of standing waves in a straw

    I am a physics teacher and I my class is currently studying sound waves. I had my class make some noise makers with straws as shown here. http://www.physics.org/interact/physics-to-go/straw-oboes/ We measured the frequencies coming from the straws and they seem to act like a pipe open at...
  13. Mnemonic

    Power of Sound Wave at distance

    Homework Statement A sound source is placed at the top of a (h = 121.5m) radio tower. The source has a frequency of 653.8 Hz and an amplitude of 11.4 nm at point A. The air surrounding the tower has a density of 1.32 kgm-3 and sound travels through it with a velocity of 340 ms-1. Point A is...
  14. U

    Linear Sound Wave Equations

    Taken from my lecturer's notes, how did they make the jump from 8.5 to 8.6 and 8.7? Even after differentiating (8.5) with time I get \rho_0 \frac{\partial^2 \vec u'}{\partial t^2} + \nabla \frac{\partial p '}{\partial t} = 0 \frac{\partial^2 p'}{\partial t^2} + \rho_0 c^2 \nabla \cdot...
  15. C

    Sound Wave

    Homework Statement A small source emits sound waves with a power output 80W. a) find the intensity at a point 3.0m from the source. (0.71W/m) b) find the intensity level at the same point as part a.(118.51) c) at what distance would the intensity be one-fourth as much as of that part (a). i...
  16. S

    Sound waves and Harmonics help

    Hello, I am having a hard time solving this question. Any help is really appreciated. 1. Homework Statement You have designed a new musical instrument of very simple construction. Your design consists of a metal tube with length L and diameter L/10. You have stretched a string of mass per...
  17. SalfordPhysics

    Helmholtz Resonator using voltmeter

    Hi, I am trying to understand how precisely a voltmeter is used to measure the resonant frequency of a sound wave in a helmholtz resonator. Is it simply that the maximum voltage corresponds to the resonant frequency? A detailed description or external link would be great. Many thanks.
    • SalfordPhysics
    • Thread
    • acoustics helmholtz helmholtz resonator pressure resonance resonant frequency resonator sound wave voltage voltmeter
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Electromagnetism
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