Sound and Hearing
Know that sound waves travel as compression waves through a medium, much slower than the speed of light
Sound, like light, is a form of energy. Particles must vibrate in order to create a sound.
Sound waves exist as variations of pressure in a medium such as air. They are created by the vibration of an object, which causes the air surrounding it to vibrate.
The vibrating air then causes the human eardrum to vibrate, which the brain interprets as sound.
The illustration below shows a speaker creating sound waves.
In the diagram below, the black dots represent air molecules. As the loudspeaker vibrates, it causes the surrounding molecules to vibrate in a particular pattern represented by the waveform. The vibrating air then causes the listener's eardrum to vibrate in the same pattern.
Sound, like light, is a form of energy. Particles must vibrate in order to create a sound.
Sound waves exist as variations of pressure in a medium such as air. They are created by the vibration of an object, which causes the air surrounding it to vibrate.
The vibrating air then causes the human eardrum to vibrate, which the brain interprets as sound.
The illustration below shows a speaker creating sound waves.
In the diagram below, the black dots represent air molecules. As the loudspeaker vibrates, it causes the surrounding molecules to vibrate in a particular pattern represented by the waveform. The vibrating air then causes the listener's eardrum to vibrate in the same pattern.
Task 14
The sound waves are different from the electromagnetic waves. Give one difference between the sound waves and the electromagnetic waves.
X
Some waves like radio waves can travel in the outer space between the earth and other planets. But sound waves cannot travel in the outer space. Explain why sound cannot travel in the outer space.
X
A sound wave can be illustrated by the use of a slinky spring. Your teacher will demonstrate that if they push and pull on a slinky spring, the energy will move down the spring.
Take a photograph or video of the spring when compressions are moving down the spring.
Paste your photo/video here.
X
Link the type of substance to the speed of sound
Task 15
The sound waves are different from the electromagnetic waves. Give one difference between the sound waves and the electromagnetic waves.
X
Some waves like radio waves can travel in the outer space between the earth and other planets. But sound waves cannot travel in the outer space. Explain why sound cannot travel in the outer space.
X
A sound wave can be illustrated by the use of a slinky spring. Your teacher will demonstrate that if they push and pull on a slinky spring, the energy will move down the spring.
Take a photograph or video of the spring when compressions are moving down the spring.
Paste your photo/video here.
X
Link the type of substance to the speed of sound
Task 15
Using the information in the picture above, state the relationship between the speed of sound and the density of the medium the sound is passing through.
X
As sound is caused by vibrating particles, what is the speed of sound in a vacuum (space with no particles e.g. outer space)?
X
Understand the structure and function of the human ear
Explain how the human ear works and enables us to hear
X
As sound is caused by vibrating particles, what is the speed of sound in a vacuum (space with no particles e.g. outer space)?
X
Understand the structure and function of the human ear
Explain how the human ear works and enables us to hear
Task 16
Write notes from this diagram on what happens when a sound vibration reaches the ear.
What happens within the ear that allows us to hear it?
X
Understand that very loud noises can permanently damage your hearing
Task 17
What is the unit scientists used to measure the volume of sound?
X
A loud explosion can damage your ear. Why is this? What happens in the cochlea?
X
Write notes from this diagram on what happens when a sound vibration reaches the ear.
What happens within the ear that allows us to hear it?
X
Understand that very loud noises can permanently damage your hearing
Task 17
What is the unit scientists used to measure the volume of sound?
X
A loud explosion can damage your ear. Why is this? What happens in the cochlea?
X