Properties of Sound
Properties of Sound
Properties of Sound
Vocabulary
Intensity the amount of energy an sound
wave carries per second through a unit
area. Measured in watts per meter
squared. W/m
Example When a sound wave carries a
large amount of energy, the molecules of the
medium move a greater distance as the wave
pass by, and the sound has a greater
amplitude
EQ: How does intensity, loudness,
frequency and pitch affect sound
waves?
Vocabulary
Loudness sound level, describes what
you actually hear. A sound wave of
greater intensity sounds louder
Decibels (dB) measures loudness. A
sound you can barely hear is 0 dB. 100dB
can damage your ears.
EQ: How does intensity, loudness,
frequency and pitch affect sound waves?
SECTION
OUTLINE
Vocabulary
Frequency the number of vibrations that occur
per second in a sound wave. Measured in
Hertz. A frequency of 50Hz means 50 vibrations
per second.
We hear sounds with frequencies that are between
20Hz and 20,000Hz
Vocabulary
Pitch a description of how high or how
low a sound seems to a person.
Pitch depends on the frequency of a
sound wave
High frequency means high pitch
Low frequency means low pitch
EQ: How does intensity, loudness, frequency and
pitch affect sound waves?
Vocabulary
Resonance when the frequency of the
sound wave exactly matches the
frequency of an object
Doppler Effect
The apparent change in frequency as a
wave source moves in relation to the
listener
EQ: How does
intensity,
loudness,
frequency and
pitch affect
sound waves?
Doppler Effect