17.4 Sound and Hearing


Properties of sound waves.

Properties
Definition
Depends on
Speed
the ratio of the distance an object moves to the amount of time the object moves
density of medium and how elastic the medium is
Frequency and pitch
Pitch- frequency of sound as you perceive it
Frequency- the number of complete cycles per unit time for periodic motion
how fast the source of sound wave is vibrating
Intensity and loudness
Intensity- rate at which waves energy flows through a given area
Loudness- physical response to intensity of sound
sound intensity and waves amplitude
distance from sound source
external image ypc30_piccolo.jpg external image giant_tuba.jpg
There is a difference in pitch because there is a different length of tubing

Uses

Ultrasound
  • Used in a variety of applications (Sonar, ultrasound imaging)
  • Sonar- determining distance to an object underwater
  • A frequency higher then most people can hear
Hearing with Ears
  • Three main regions of the ear
  • Outer- gathers and focuses sound for middle ear
  • Middle- receives and amplifies vibrations
  • Inner- uses nerve endings to sense vibrations and send signals to the brain
Music
  • Resonance- response of a standing wave to another wave of the same frequency
  • Can vary in pitch by frequency of standing waves
  • changes by the length of tubing or the length/thickness of strings
Doppler Effect
  • change in sound frequency caused by motion of the sound source
  • discovered by Christian Doppler
  • as a source of sound approaches higher frequency when it moves away frequency lowers

external image ear_diagram_lg.gif external image music-notes.jpg