Sound and Waves Lesson

Introduction

Sound is a type of wave that travels through a medium (such as air, water, or solids) due to vibrations. It’s created when an object vibrates, causing particles in the surrounding medium to move and transmit the energy. Sound waves are mechanical waves, meaning they need a medium to travel through.

Types of Waves

There are two main types of waves: mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

• Mechanical Waves: These require a medium to travel through. Sound waves are mechanical waves. They can be either longitudinal (like sound) or transverse (like water waves).
• Electromagnetic Waves: These do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum. Examples include light waves, radio waves, and microwaves.

Sound Waves

Sound waves are longitudinal waves, where the particles of the medium move in the same direction as the wave. The primary properties of sound waves are:

• Frequency: The number of vibrations per second, which determines the pitch of the sound. Higher frequency = higher pitch.
• Amplitude: The height of the wave, which determines the volume (loudness) of the sound. Larger amplitude = louder sound.
• Wavelength: The distance between two successive peaks of the wave. It is inversely proportional to frequency.

Interactive Tutorial: Sound Wave Propagation

Click the "Start Wave" button to visualize how sound waves move.

Test Sound Wave Frequency

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge