CHAPTER- 11 : SOUND

Sound is a form of energy, which produces a sensation of hearing in our ears.

Production of Sound
 Sound is produced due to the vibration of objects.
 Vibration is the rapid to and fro motion of an object.
 Vibrating objects are the source of all sounds.
 Irregular, chaotic vibrations produce noise.
 Regular, controlled vibration can produce music.
 All sound is a combination of pure frequencies.
 A stretched rubber band when plucked vibrates and produces sound.
 The sound of human voice is produced due to vibration in vocal chords.

Propagation of Sound
 The matter or substance, through which, sound is transmitted is called a medium.
 Medium can be solid, liquid or gaseous.
 When an object vibrates, the particles around the medium vibrate. The particle in
contact with the vibrating object is first displaced from its equilibrium position.
 The disturbance produced by the vibrating body travels through the medium but the
particles do not move forward themselves.
 A wave is a disturbance which moves through a medium by the vibration of the particles
of the medium.

Sound is considered as a wave.

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  Sound waves Require medium for transmission.
 Sound waves are called mechanical waves as they are characterised by the motion of
the particles in medium.

Compressions:
When a vibrating object moves forward, it pushes and compresses the air in front of it forming
a region of high pressure called compression (C).

Rarefaction:
When the vibrating object moves backward, it forms a region of low pressure called rarefaction
(R).

 A vibrating object producing a series of compressions (C) and rarefaction (R).

Sounds need medium to propogate:

Sound requires a medium to travel, the medium can be solid, liquid or gas. But, it can’t travel
through vaccum.

TYPES OF WAVES:

There are two types of waves.

1. Longitudinal waves.
2. Transversal waves.

Longitudinal waves:
In these waves the particles move back and forth parallel to the direction of propagation of the
disturbance.
Transversal waves:
In these waves the particles oscillate up and down perpendicular to the propagation of the
direction of disturbance.

NOTE:

1. Compressions are the regions of high pressure and density where the particles are
crowded and are represented by the upper portion of the curve called crest.
2. Rarefactions are the regions of low pressure and density where the particles are spread
out and are represented by the lower portion of the curve called trough.

Experiment to show that sound needs a material medium for its propagation.
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.

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

Characteristics of a sound wave:

1. Frequency of sound wave-

The number of oscillations per unit time is called the frequency of the sound wave. It is
represented by the symbol ν (Greek letter nu). Its SI unit is hertz (Hz).
2. Wave length of sound wave-
The distance between two consecutive compressions or two consecutive rarefactions is
called wave length. It is represented by lambda (λ). Its SI unit is meter.
3. Time period of sound wave-
The time taken by two consecutive compressions or two consecutive rarefactions to
cross a fixed point is called time period. It is represented by T. Its SI unit is second
4. Pitch of sound wave-
How the brain interprets the frequency of an emitted sound is called it’s pitch.
NOTE: faster the vibration of the source, the higher is the frequency and higher is the pitch.
5. Amplitude of sound wave-
The amplitude of sound wave is the height of the crest or trough. It is represented by
the letter A. The SI unit is the same as that of density or pressure that is metre.

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NOTE:
1. A sound of single frequency is called tone.
2. The sound which is produced due to the mixture of several frequency is called node.
3. The noise is unpleasant to listen.

Intensity of sound:
The amount of sound energy passing each second through unit area is called intensity of sound.

Loudness:
Loudness is the measure of the response of the ear to the sound.
NOTE: loudness and intensity of sound are different things.

Speed of sound:
The speed of sound is more in solids, less in liquids and least in gases.
OR
The speed of sound is defined as the distance which a point on wave. Such as compression or
rarefactions travel per unit time.

NOTE: The speed of sound also depends on the temperature of the medium. If the temperature
of the medium is more, the speed of sound is more.

Reflection of Sound:
Sound gets reflected at the surface of a solid or liquid and follows the laws of reflection.
i) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
ii) The incident ray, the reflected ray and normal at the point of incidence all lie in the same
plane.

Echo:
If we shout or clap near a reflecting surface like tall building or a mountain, we hear the same
sound again. This sound which we hear is called echo. It is caused due to the reflection of
sound.
To hear an echo clearly, the time interval between the original sound and the echo must be at
least 0.1 sec and the minimum distance should be 17.2 m.

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Reverberation:
Echoes may be heard more than once due to repeated or multiple reflections of sound from
several reflecting surfaces. This causes persistence of sound called reverberation.

In big halls or auditoriums to reduce reverberation, the roofs and walls are covered by

sound absorbing materials like compressed fibre boards, rough plaster or draperies.

Uses Of Multiple Reflection Of Sound:

 Megaphones, horns, musical instruments like trumpets, etc. are deigned to send sound
by multiple reflection in a particular direction without spreading in all directions.
 Doctors listen to sounds from the human body through a stethoscope. The sound of
heartbeat reaches the doctor’s ears by multiple reflection.

NOTE: The ceilings of cinema halls and auditoriums are curved so that sound after multiple
reflection reaches all parts of the hall.

Range of Hearing / Audible Range:

 Human beings can hear sound frequencies between 20 Hz and 20000 Hz.
 Dogs, children below the age of 5 years can hear the sound frequencies up to 25000 Hz.
 Rhinoceros communicate with a sound of frequency as low as 5 Hz.
 Whales and elephants produce the sound of infra-sonic range.
 Ultra-sonic sound is produced by dolphins, bats and rats.

Infra sonic sound:

Sound whose frequency is less than 20 Hz is called infrasonic sound.

Ultra sonic sound:

Sound whose frequency is more than 20000 Hz is called ultrasonic sound.

Uses of ultrasonic sound:

 Ultrasonic sound is used to clean objects like electronic Components.

 Used to detect cracks in metal blocks.
 Used in ultra sound scanners for getting images of internal organs of the human body
 Used to break small stones formed in the kidneys into fine grains.
 For welding purposes.
 For SONAR
 For determining the depth of the sea.
 For medical use (fracture)

N.C.E.R.T QUESTION ANSWERS:

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Page No.129
Q1. 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.

Q2. 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.

Q3. 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.

Q4. 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.

Page No.132
Q1. 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.

Q2. Guess which sound has a higher pitch: guitar or car horn?
ANS Sound of Guitar has a higher pitch.

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Q1. 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 centers 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.

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

Q2. How are the wavelength and frequency of a sound wave related to its speed?
ANS From the equation: v = n x ⋋
Where v = velocity/speed
n = frequency of wave
⋋ = wavelength of wave

Q3. Calculate the wavelength of a sound wave whose frequency is 220 Hz and speed is 440
m/s in a given medium.
ANS Since we know v = n x ⋋
440 = 220 x ⋋
⋋ = 440/220 = 2 m

Q4. 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/v = 1/500 = 0.002 second.

Page No.133
Q1. Distinguish between loudness and intensity of sound.
ANS

Loudness of sound Intensity of sound

It is a subjective measurement of sound It is an objective measurement of sound
energy. It is a sensation as perceived by energy(amount of sound energy passing
our ears. It depends upon intensity of each second through unit area) and it
sound near the ear. determines the loudness of sound produced
from any source.

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Q1. 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.

Page No.134
Q1. An echo returned in 3 s. What is the distance of the reflecting surface from the source,
given that the speed of sound is 342 m s–1?
ANS Speed of sound = distance/time
Therefore distance travelled by sound during echo = speed x time = 342 x 3 = 1026 m.
so the distance of reflecting surface = 1026/2 =513 m

Page No.135
Q1. 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.

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Page No.136
Q1. What is the audible range of the average human ear?
ANS 20 Hz to 20,000Hz.

Q2. What is the range of frequencies associated with

(a) Infrasound?
(b) Ultrasound?
ANS Infrasound = less than 20 Hz
Ultrasound = greater than 20 KHz

Chapter – end
Q1. 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.

Q2. Describe with the help of a diagram, how compressions and rarefactions are produced in
air near a source of sound.
ANS

Q3. 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.

Q4. 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.

Q5. 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 3 x 108 m/s therefore light travels faster than sound hence thunder
is heard a few seconds after the flash is seen.

Q6. 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
344 m s–1.
ANS For 20 Hz sound waves the wavelength would be
v=nx⋋
⋋ = v/n = 344/20 = 17.2 m
For 20 kHz sound waves the wavelength would be

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 v=nx⋋
⋋ = v/n = 344 ms-1/20000 Hz = 0.0172 m

Q7. Two children are at opposite ends of an aluminum 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 aluminum 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 aluminium in reaching other
boy.

Q8. 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) = 100 x 60 = 6000

Q9.Does sound follow the same laws of reflection as light does? Explain.
ANS Yes. Sound follows th 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.

Q10. 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.
Therefore the total distance covered by the sound from the point of generation to the
reflecting surface and back should be at least (344 m/s) × 0.1 s = 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.

Q11. 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.

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Q12. A stone is dropped from the top of a tower 500m high into a pond of water at the base
of the tower. When is the splash heard at the top?
Given, g = 10 m s–2 and speed of sound =340 ms–1.
ANS v2 = u2 + 2gh
= 0 + 2 x 10 x 500 = 10000
v = √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 sound to 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

Q13. 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 v = λ ν
339 = 0.015 m x ν
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.

Q14. 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 fiberboard, rough plaster or draperies. The
seat materials are also selected on the basis of their sound absorbing properties.

Q15. 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.

Q16. 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.

Q17. 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

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waves. If there is even a small defect, the ultrasound gets reflected back indicating the
presence of the flaw or defect.

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