Does loud voice mean high frequency?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between loudness, frequency, and amplitude of sound waves. Participants explore the implications of sound wave properties, including the speed of sound in different media, while addressing misconceptions about how loudness correlates with frequency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that loudness is related to amplitude, not frequency, indicating that a louder voice corresponds to higher amplitude sound waves.
  • Others clarify that the speed of sound is influenced by the medium's temperature, pressure, and density, and is independent of frequency in ideal conditions.
  • A participant questions the initial understanding of what "loud" means in wave mechanics, suggesting that the discussion may have diverged from its original focus.
  • Some participants propose that the velocity of sound can be calculated using specific formulas that account for the medium, such as bulk modulus and density for water.
  • There is a reiteration that amplitude determines loudness, while frequency and wavelength are inversely related, with longer wavelengths corresponding to lower frequencies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that loudness is related to amplitude and that amplitude is independent of frequency. However, there is no consensus on the implications of these relationships, and multiple views on the nature of sound waves and their properties remain present.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and relationships discussed, particularly regarding the transition from loudness to the speed of sound in various media. There are unresolved questions about the appropriate formulas for calculating sound velocity based on medium properties.

avito009
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As I know: Velocity of sound = wavelength x frequency. If frequency increases wavelength decreases. So even if you shout loudly the velocity of sound won't change only that you will hear a louder voice.

So does that mean that louder voice has higher frequency?
 
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A louder voice has higher amplitude sound waves.
 
avito009 said:
As I know: Velocity of sound = wavelength x frequency.

Then you know incorrectly

speed of sound is dependent on the temperature, pressure and density of the material it is traveling through, be that air, another gas or a solid. The speed (velocity) of a sound wave in a idea gas is independent of frequency but for a real world gas, the frequency does add a slight variation

The amplitude of a sound wave is independent of its frequency
Think of a piano or other instrument playing a single note ( single frequency)
it can be played louder or quieter but the frequency of that note doesn't change

you can even take that a step further. you listen to the radio or the TV I assume ?
when you turn the volume up and down the frequency of the sound doesn't change, aye ?
you don't hear the news readers voice changing pitch with a change in volume :smile:

Dave
 
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davenn said:
speed of sound is dependent on the temperature, pressure and density of the material
You are right. The velocity of sound depends on the medium. So now we are in need of a formula of velocity of sound that takes into account the medium (Hot air, Water etc). Could you give out such a formula?
 
avito009 said:
You are right. The velocity of sound depends on the medium. So now we are in need of a formula of velocity of sound that takes into account the medium (Hot air, Water etc). Could you give out such a formula?

Isn't this now a different subject than the topic you started with? You never acknowledge if you had finally understood what "loud" corresponds to in wave mechanincs, so it isn't clear if you have understood THAT part of it before opening another can of worms.

Secondly, have you done a preliminary search on those relationships?

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
You never acknowledge if you had finally understood what "loud" corresponds to in wave mechanincs, so it isn't clear if you have understood THAT part of it before opening another can of worms.
From what I understand: The longer the wavelength, the lower the frequency. The 'height' of the wave is its amplitude. The amplitude determines how loud a sound will be. Greater amplitude means the sound will be louder.

Now coming to my previous post. As far as I know that if we were to calculate speed of light in water as the medium we would use the refractive index of water. But what would we use in case of velocity of sound?
 

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avito009 said:
From what I understand: The longer the wavelength, the lower the frequency. The 'height' of the wave is its amplitude. The amplitude determines how loud a sound will be. Greater amplitude means the sound will be louder.

Now coming to my previous post. As far as I know that if we were to calculate speed of light in water as the medium we would use the refractive index of water. But what would we use in case of velocity of sound?
A table like this, for example:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/tables/soundv.html

Usually for sound the speed is tabulated directly whereas for light the index of refraction is more common.
There are formulas that relate speed of sound to the properties of the medium, too. But they depend on the type of medium (solid, gas, liquid, bulk or guided, etc)
 
I think that I have found the formula that I need. Formula of velocity of sound in water = c = (E / ρ)1/2 .
Where
E = bulk modulus elasticity (Pa, psi)

ρ = density (kg/m3, lb/ft3)
 
Drakkith said:
A louder voice has higher amplitude sound waves.
To summarize I would say that loudness depends on amplitude and amplitude is independent of the frequency or wavelength. Am I right?
 
  • #10
avito009 said:
To summarize I would say that loudness depends on amplitude and amplitude is independent of the frequency or wavelength. Am I right?

I believe so.
 

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