Properties of sound.

Sound is a mechanical, longitudinal wave. Longitudinal means parallel from sound source. Mechanically moves through medium by vibration of molecules or physically changing pressure, compressions (high pressure) and rarefactions (low pressure) One complete cycle = 1 compression and 1 rarefaction

Frequency = # cycles per second Hz.                  
Wavelength = length of one cycle mm                  
Period = time of one cycle µs

ƛ = wavelength

ƛ = c/f

c = prop speed | f = frequency

Properties of sound

Relationships
Direct: If one increases, the other increases and vice versa (go together)
Inverse: If one increases, the other decreases (opposites)

Wavelength depends on 2 things – frequency (determined sound source) and propagation speed (determined by medium)

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related
Wavelength directly related to propagation speed

Mediums with fast prop speed = longer wavelength
Mediums with slower prop speed = shorter wavelength
Propagation speed is NOT affected by either freq or wavelength

 

 

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