CBSE Class 9 Science

Important Questions
Chapter 12
Sound

1 Marks Questions

1. Guess which sound has a higher pitch: guitar or car horn?

Ans. Sound of Guitar has a higher pitch.

2. In which of the three media, air, water or iron, does sound travel the fastest at a
particular temperature?

Ans. Sound will travel the fastest in iron at a particular temperature.

3. What is the audible range of the average human ear?

Ans. 20 Hz to 20,000Hz.

4. Which characteristic of the sound helps you to identify your friend by his voice while
sitting with others in a dark room?

Ans. Pitch of the sound wave.

5. A person has a hearing range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. What are the typical wavelengths
of sound waves in air corresponding to these two frequencies? Take the speed of sound
in air as .

Ans. For 20 Hz sound waves the wavelength would be

= v/n = 344/20 = 17.2 m

For 20 kHz sound waves the wavelength would be

 = 0.0172 m

6. Two children are at opposite ends of an aluminium rod. One strikes the end of the
rod with a stone. Find the ratio of times taken by the sound wave in air and in
aluminium to reach the second child.

Ans. Since speed of sound in air = 344 m/s

And speed of sound in aluminium = 6420 m/s

we know that v = distance/time therefore time = d/v

time taken by sound wave in air/time taken by sound wave in aluminium

= d/344: d/6420 = 6420/344 = 18.66/1

the sound will take 18.66 times more time through air than in aluminum in reaching other
boy.

7. The frequency of a source of sound is 100 Hz. How many times does it vibrate in a
minute?

Ans. Frequency of source of sound being 100 Hz means the sound source vibrates 100 times
in one second. therefore vibrations made by sound source in 1min(60 sec) =
6000

8. Does sound follow the same laws of reflection as light does? Explain.

Ans. Yes.Sound follows the same laws of reflection as light does. We can say that because
here the directions in which the sound is incident and is reflected make equal angles with
the normal to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence, and the three are in the same
plane.

9. When a sound is reflected from a distant object, an echo is produced. Let the distance
between the reflecting surface and the source of sound production remains the same.
Do you hear echo sound on a hotter day?

Ans. As the sensation of sound persists in our brain for about 0.1 s. To hear a distinct echo
the time interval between the original sound and the reflected one must be at least 0.1s.
There for the total distance covered by the sound from the point of generation to the
reflecting surface and back should be at least = 34.4 m. Thus, for hearing

distinct echoes, the minimum distance of the obstacle from the source of sound must be half
of this distance, that is, 17.2 m. Speed of sound will increase with increase in temperature.
Therefore, on a hotter day speed of sound will be greater hence echoes may be heard more
than once because of multiple reflections of sound result will be no distinct echo will be
heard by us.

10. Give two practical applications of reflection of sound waves.

Ans. Two practical applications of reflection of sound waves

i. Megaphones or loudhailers, horns, musical instruments such as trumpets and shehanais,

are all designed to send sound in a particular direction without spreading it in all directions.

ii. Stethoscope is a medical instrument used for listening to sounds produced within the
body, chiefly in the heart or lungs. In stethoscopes the sound of the patient’s heartbeat
reaches the doctor’s ears by multiple reflection of sound.

11. A stone is dropped from the top of a tower 500 m high into a pond of water at the
base of the tower. When is the splash heard at the top? Given, and speed

of sound .

Ans.
 = 10000

= 100 m/s

we also know that v = u + gt = 0 + 10t

100 = 10t or, Time taken by stone to reach the pond surface(t) = 100/10 = 10 sec

Therefore, time taken by soundto reach the top from pond surface = d/v = 500/340

= 1.47 sec

so the total time taken for splash being heard at the top = 10 + 1.47 = 11.47 s

12. A sound wave travels at a speed of 339 m s–1. If its wavelength is 1.5 cm, what is the
frequency of the wave? Will it be audible?

Ans. Since we know that

ν = 339/0.015 = 22600 Hz

Since the resulting frequency is beyond the audible range of human beings(20Hz to 20kHz)
therefore sound will not be audible to human ears.

13. What is reverberation? How can it be reduced?

Ans. The repeated reflection of sound due to which sound persists for a long time is called
reverberation.

To reduce reverberation, the roof and walls of the auditorium are generally covered with
sound-absorbent materials like compressed fibreboard, rough plaster or draperies. The seat
materials are also selected on the basis of their sound absorbing properties

14. What is loudness of sound? What factors does it depend on?

Ans. Loudness is a measure of the response of the ear to the sound. Even when two sounds
are of equal intensity, we may hear one as louder than the other simply because our ear
detects it better.

Loudness of sound depends upon the amplitude of those sound waves. Higher is the
amplitude of vibrating air particles louder will be the sound.

15. Explain how bats use ultrasound to catch a prey.

Ans. Bats search out prey and fly in dark night by emitting and detecting reflections of
ultrasonic waves. The high-pitched ultrasonic squeaks of the bat are reflected from the
obstacles or prey and returned to bat’s ear. The nature of reflections tells the bat where the
obstacle or prey is and what it is like.

16. How is ultrasound used for cleaning?

Ans. Ultrasound is generally used to clean parts located in hard-to-reach places, for example,
spiral tube, odd shaped parts, electronic components etc. Objects to be cleaned are placed in
a cleaning solution and ultrasonic waves are sent into the solution. Due to the high
frequency, the particles of dust, grease and dirt get detached and drop out. The objects thus
get thoroughly cleaned.

17. Explain the working and application of a sonar.

Ans. Sonar is a device that uses ultrasonic waves to measure the distance, direction and
speed of underwater objects.

Sonar consists of a transmitter and a detector and is installed in a boat or a ship. The
transmitter produces and transmits ultrasonic waves. These waves travel through water and
after striking the object on the seabed, get reflected back and are sensed by the detector. The
detector converts the ultrasonic waves into electrical signals which are appropriately
interpreted. The distance of the object that reflected the sound wave can be calculated by
knowing the speed of sound in water and the time interval between transmission and
reception of the ultrasound. Let the time interval between transmission and reception of
ultrasound signal be t and the speed of sound through sea water be v. The total distance, 2d
travelled by the ultrasound is then, .

The above method is called echo-ranging. The sonar technique is used to determine the
depth of the sea and to locate underwater hills, valleys, submarine, icebergs, sunken ship etc.

18. A sonar device on a submarine sends out a signal and receives an echo 5 s later.
Calculate the speed of sound in water if the distance of the object from the submarine
is 3625 m.

Ans. Distance of object from submarine = 3625 m

Therefore, distance travelled by sonar waves = 7250 m

since, speed = distance/time= 7250/5 = 1450 m/s

19. Explain how defects in a metal block can be detected using ultrasound.
Ans. Ultrasounds can be used to detect cracks and flaws in metal blocks. Metallic
components are generally used in construction of big structures like buildings, bridges,
machines and also scientific equipment. The cracks or holes inside the metal blocks, which
are invisible from outside reduces the strength of the structure. Ultrasonic waves are
allowed to pass through the metal block and detectors are used to detect the transmitted
waves. If the reis even a small defect, the ultrasound gets reflected back indicating the
presence of the flaw or defect.

20. Explain how the human ear works.

Ans. The outer ear is called ‘pinna’. It collects the sound from the surroundings. The
collected sound passes through the auditory canal. At the end of the auditory canal there is a
thin membrane called the ear drum or tympanic membrane. When a compression of the
medium reaches the eardrum the pressure on the outside of the membrane increases and
forces the eardrum inward. Similarly, the eardrum moves outward when a rarefaction
reaches it. In this way the eardrum vibrates. The vibrations are amplified several times by
three bones (the hammer, anvil and stirrup) in the middle ear. The middle ear transmits the
amplified pressure variations received from the soundwave to the inner ear. In the inner
ear, the pressure variations are turned into electrical signals by the cochlea. These electrical
signals are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, and the brain interprets them as sound.

21. Wavelength of sound wave has units:

(a) metres

(b) metres/sound

(c)

(d)

Ans. (a) metres

22. Light is a

(a) Longitudinal wave

(b) Transverse wave

(c) Both

(d) None

Ans. (b) Transverse wave

23. In compression, pressure density is

(a) High

(b) Less

(c) Remains same

(d) May be a) or b) depending upon disturbance

Ans. (a) High

24. Frequency of ultrasonic sound wave is

(a) Greater than 20 HZ

(b) Greater than 20,000 HZ

(c) Greater than 2 HZ

(d) Greater than 2 MHZ

Ans. (b) Greater than 20,000 HZ

25. S. I. units of frequency are:

(a) second

(b)

(c)

(d)

Ans. (b)

26. Stethoscope work on the principle of:

(a) Multiple reflection of sound

(b) Ultrasounds

(c) Both a and b

(d) None of the above

Ans. (a) Multiple reflection of sound

27. Audible Range of human ear is:

(a) 20 HZ – 20 KHZ

(b) 20 HZ – 20 MHZ

(c) 20HZ – 20,000 HZ

(d) Both a) and b)

Ans. (d) Both a) and b)

28. The order of bones is human area from outside to inside:

(a) Hammer, stirrup Anvil

(b) Hammer, Anvil and stirrup

(c) Anvil, Stirrup and Hammer

(d) Stirrup, Hammer and Anvil

Ans. (a) Hammer, stirrup Anvil

29. Which of the following is used in echocardiography?

(a) Ultrasound waves

(b) Infrasound waves

(c) X-Ray waves

(d) Both a) and c)

Ans. (a) Ultrasound waves

30. Infrasound is produced by:

(a) Bats

(b) Dogs

(c) Rhinoceros

(d) Rats

Ans. (c) Rhinoceros

31. Speed of sound is maximum in:

(a) Solids

(b) Liquids

(c) Gases

(d) Plasma

Ans. (a) Solids

32. Inner Ear is called as

(a) cochlea

(b) Pinna

(c) Hammer

(d) Anvil

Ans. Cochlea
 CBSE Class 9 Science
Important Questions
Chapter 12
Sound

2 Marks Questions

1. Explain how sound is produced by your school bell.

Ans. When the peon strikes the school bell with a hammer, the particles of bell metal start
vibrating and those vibrations produce sound.

2. Why are sound waves called mechanical waves?

Ans. Since sound waves need a medium for their propagation therefore we can say that
sound waves are mechanical waves.

3. Suppose you and your friend are on the moon. Will you be able to hear any sound
produced by your friend?

Ans. There is no air on moon hence there is no medium for sound propagation on moon. As
a result, me and my friend will not be able to hear any sound produced by my friend.

4. Which wave property determines

(a) loudness,

(b) pitch?

Ans. (a)The amplitude of the wave determines loudness of sound.

(b)The frequency of the wave determines pitch of sound.

5. How are the wavelength and frequency of a sound wave related to its speed?

Ans. From the equation:

where v = velocity/speed

n = frequency of wave

= wavelength of wave

6. Calculate the wavelength of a sound wave whose frequency is 220 Hz and speed is 440
m/s in a given medium.

Ans. The time interval between successive compressions from the source

T = 1/ = 1/500 = 0.002 second.

7. 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?

Ans. The time interval between successive compressions from the source

T = 1/ = 1/500 = 0.002 second.

8. Distinguish between loudness and intensity of sound.

Ans.

9. An echo returned in 3 s. What is the distance of the reflecting surface from the
source, given that the speed of sound is ?
Ans. Speed of sound = distance/time

Therefore, distance travelled by sound during echo = 1026 m

so the distance of reflecting surface = 1026/2 =513 m

10. Why are the ceilings of concert halls curved?

Ans. The ceilings of concert halls are curved because such architecture helps the sound to
reach all the corners and places of concert hall.

11. What is the range of frequencies associated with

(a) Infrasound?

(b) Ultrasound?

Ans. Infrasound = less than 20 Hz

Ultrasound = greater than 20 KHz

12. A submarine emits a sonar pulse, which returns from an underwater cliff in 1.02 s.
If the speed of sound in salt water is1531 m/s, how far away is the cliff?

Ans. Distance travelled by a sonar pulse = speed of sound in salt water time

= 1561.62 m

Therefore, the distance of cliff from submarine = 1561.62/2 = 780.81 m

13. What is sound and how is it produced?

Ans. Sound is a form of energy that produces a sensation of hearing in our ears. Sound gets
produced when any object vibrates/oscillates.

14. Describe with the help of a diagram, how compressions and rarefactions are
produced in air near a source of sound.
Ans.

15. Why is sound wave called a longitudinal wave?

Ans. Sound wave is called a longitudinal wave because sound waves travel in the air through
compressions and rarefactions.

16. Flash and thunder are produced simultaneously. But thunder is heard a few seconds
after the flash is seen, why?
Ans. Since speed of thunder (sound) is much less (332 m/s) as compared to speed of flash
(light) which is about therefore light travels faster than sound hence thunder is
heard a few seconds after the flash is seen.

17. Differentiate between longitudinal and transverse wave?

Ans.

18. Define the terms:

a) Wavelength

b) Frequency

Ans. a) The distance between two consecutive rest or two consecutive troughs is known as
the wavelength of the wave.

b) The number of vibrations that particle covers in 1 second is called the frequency wave.

19. An underwater device directs ultrasounds of frequency 75 KHZ towards water

surface. What is the wavelength of sound in the air above the water surface and what is
its frequency? Speed of sound in air = 340 m/s.

Ans. When sound wave travels from one medium to another, the frequency remain
unchanged while the wavelength and velocity change

Frequency in air = 75,000 HZ

Wavelength,
20. What is an echo? Name two areas of its application?

Ans. When sound waves strike a surface, they are reflected with the same velocity and the
reflected sound wave are heard as echo. It is used in SONAR and detecting flaws in metal
objects.

21. Why are sound waves called as mechanical waves?

Ans. Mechanical waves are those which requires a medium for their propagation, since
sound also requires medium for its Propagation, hence is a mechanical wave.

22. Define a) Time Period b) Amplitude of a wave

Ans. a) Time Period of a wave: The time required by a wave to complete one vibration is
called time Period.

b) Amplitude: The magnitude of the maximum disturbance in the medium on either side of
mean value is called the amplitude of wave.

23. What do you understand by loud and soft sound?

Ans. Louder sound: Sound which have higher amplitude and high energy are called louder
sound.
Softer sound: Sound which have lesser amplitude and less energy are called soft sound.

24. A sound wave travels at a speed of 340 m/s. If the wavelength of wave is 1.4 m, what
is the frequency of wave?
Ans. Speed of sound wave = 340 m/s

Wavelength of sound wave = 1.4 m

Frequency = ?

Since, velocity = Frequency Wavelength

25. What do you understand by low pitched and high pitched sound?

Ans. High pitch sound are those sound which have higher frequency that is in 1 second they
complete large number of vibrations.

Low pitch sound are those sound which have lesser frequency that is in 1 second they
complete less number of vibrations
26. Why do we see light first and hear the sound later during thunderstorm?

Ans. Since speed of light is greater than the speed of sound hence it travels faster and is seen
first during a thunderstorm.

27. What are laws of reflection of sound?

Ans. Laws of reflection of sound:

a) The incident, normal and reflected all lie in the same plane

b) Angle of incidence of sound is equal to angle of reflection of sound.

28. Why are the ceilings of concert halls curved?

Ans. Ceilings of concert halls are corned so that sound after reflection from the curved
surface which have greater surface area, can reach to all places of halls.
 CBSE Class 9 Science
Important Questions
Chapter 12
Sound

3 Marks Questions

1. How does the sound produced by a vibrating object in a medium reach your ear?

Ans. As we speak, the particles of air near our mouth are pushed forward so they get
compressed. Then they compress the other particles of air. As the compression proceeds the
particles of air near our mouth expand again and thus rarefaction occurs. This process is
repeated further and as a result sound wave propagates in the form of compressions and
rarefactions to the listener’s ear.

2. What are wavelength, frequency, time period and amplitude of a sound wave?

Ans. wavelength: For a sound wave, the combined length of a compression and an adjacent
rarefaction is called its wavelength even the distance between centres of two consecutive
compressions or two consecutive rarefactions is also equal to its wavelength.

frequency: The number of vibrations or oscillations per second is called frequency i.e. it is
the number of complete waves or cycles produced in one second.

Time period: The time taken to complete one vibration/oscillation/complete wave is called
time period. It is measured in seconds.

Amplitude: It is the maximum displacement of the particles of the medium from their
mean/original position at rest.

3. Cite an experiment to show that sound needs a material medium for its propagation.

Ans. Take an electric bell and an airtight glass bell jar. The electric bell is suspended inside
the airtight bell jar. The bell jar is connected to a vacuum pump If you press the switch you
will be able to hear the bell. Now start the vacuum pump. When the air in the jar is pumped
out gradually, the sound becomes fainter, although the same current is passing through the
bell.

After some time when less air is left inside the bell jar you will hear a very feeble sound. Now
if we evacuate the bell jar no sound is heard.

Result: The above mentioned activity shows that sound needs a medium to propagate.

4. What happens when sound travels in air?

Ans. When sound wave travels through air then the pressure and density of air changes. As
the disturbance propagates through a medium, then alternate regions of pressure variations
are created.

The region where particle come closer to each other (high density) and pressure of air is high
is called as compression. The region where particles far apart from each other (low density)
and pressure of air is less is called as rarefaction compression and rarefactions always occur
together.

5. Establish the relation for a wave that velocity = frequency wavelength.

Ans. Since, velocity =

For a wave, for one vibration, the distance b/w two consecutive crest or trough is called its
wavelength .

Time required to complete one vibration is called its Time Period (T).
 (Frequency) is defined as the no. of vibrations particle covers in 1 second.

6. When a wave travels from one medium to another, the wavelength changes but not
the frequency. The wavelength of sound disturbance 30 cm in air and of the wave
velocity is 340 m/s. What will be the wavelength of this disturbance in Helium & water?
The speed of sound in helium is 970 m/s and 1450 m/s in water?

Ans. Wavelength of sound disturbance = 30 cm

Wave velocity of sound = 340 m/s

(velocity = frequency wavelength)

a) Helium: → speed of sound = 970 m/s

b) Water: → speed of sound = 1450 m/s

7. Sound waves of wavelength travel from a medium in which its velocity is v m/s
into another medium in which if velocity is 3 v m/s. What is the wavelength of the sound
in the second medium?

Ans. Since velocity = wavelength frequency

Now, when waves moves from one medium to another, the frequency remains the same

Now, when velocity in first Medium =

velocity in Second Medium = 3v

The wavelength of the sound in the second medium is one – third of the wavelength in the
first Medium.

8. Sound requires a medium to travel? Justify experimentally.

Ans. Sound requires medium for propagation and it can be proved by following experiment:
1) Take a bell jar and suspend an electric bell in it,
2) The bell jar is connected to a vacuum pump. Till the air is in the bell jar, the sound of the
electric bell is louder.
3) Now, with the help of vacuum pump, pump out the air gradually
4) Now as air is pumped out, the sound of the bell gets fainter and fainter.
5) Now, when the bell jar is completely vacuumed no sound is heard.
6) This shows that air is required for propagation of sound.

9. A cork on the surface of water moves up down completing five vibrations in 4s. The
waves travel from a cork to the shore which is 20 m away in 10 s calculate

(a) the speed

(b) frequency
(c) wavelength

Ans. a) required to complete 1 vibrations sec.

Time required to complete 1 vibration = Time Period

Time Period (T) = second

Distance Travelled = 20 m
Time taken = 10 second

Velocity =

Now,
Velocity = Frequency × Wavelength

1.6 m =
So, a) Speed = 2 m/s
b) wavelength = 1.6 m
c) Frequency = 1.25/second

10. An observer far away from a railway station hears the train starting. The sound
arrives both from the steel rails and through air with a time difference of 3.5 s. How far
is the railway station from the observer? The speed of sound in air and steal is 340m/s
and 5130 m/s respectively?

Ans. Let distance between railway station and observer = d

Speed of sound in air = 340 m/s

Time taken by sound in air =

Speed of sound in steel = 5130 m/s

Time taken by sound in steel =

Time difference between sound in steel and air

1274.46 m = d

11. How can ultrasound be used to detect the defect in metal block?

Ans. Ultrasound are those waves which have frequency greater than 20 KHZ. Now, metal
blocks are subjected to ultrasound at one end and at the other end, detectors are placed. If
the metal block does not contain any defect then ultrasound travel through and are detected
by detectors. If the metal block has any defect, than from that region ultrasounds are not
detected and gets reflected back indicating the presence of defect in the block.

12. What is reverberation? What is done to reduce it?

Ans. The repeated reflection of sound that results in the persistence of sound is celled as
reverberation. We can reduce reverberation by:-
1) Covering roofs and walls of auditorium with sound absorbing materials
2) seat materials is also selected on the basis of sound absorbing property

13. Discuss briefly the structure and working of human ear?

Ans. Structure of human ear:

Outer ear is called pinna followed by an auditory canal in which ends in a tympanic
membrane. The tympanic membrane is then connected to three bones, hammer, anvil and
stirrup. Then there is cochlea connected to an auditory nerve.

Working of human ear →

The pinna collects the sound and collected sound passes through reaches auditory nerve.
After which it forces the ear drum (tympanic membrane) to vibrate. The vibrations are than
amplified by 3 bones and the pressure variations reaches the inner ear after which cochlea
converts them to electrical signal. Auditory nerve carries the electrical signal to brain and
brain interprets them as sound.

14. A man standing in a valley between two parallel mountains fires a gun and hears
echo at an interval of 2 s and 3.5 s. what is

a) the distance between two mountains

b) the location of the man with respect to the mountain.
Ans. The speed of sound is air = 340 m/s

The two mountains are marked as A & B and man is at P.

The first echo comes from mountain A.
Time taken by echo to reach man = 2s
Time taken by sound to trammel from P to A = 1s
Distance travelled by sound in 1S = 340m
The Distance of A from P = 340m
The second Echo comes from mountain B.
Time taken by echo to reach Thomas = 3.5s
Time taken by sound to trend from P to A = 1.75s
Distance travelled by sound in 1.75 sec = 595m
Distance of B from P = 595m
Distance between mountains = 340 + 595 = 935m

15. What is SONAR? Write its working?

Ans. SONAR stands for sound Navigation and Ranging. It uses ultrasonic waves. It consists of
a transmitter which produces and transmits ultrasonic waves. These waves travel though
water and after striking the object on the sea bed gets reflected back and are sensed by
detector. The waves are then converted to electrical signals by detector. The time taken by
wave to reach detector is recorded. Now, distance of the object from the ship is calculated by

wring formula .