How are sound waves produced?

Sound waves are produced by vibrating (or oscillating) sources.

What is the name of the region of a sound wave where the pressure is lower due to particles being spaced further apart? (Extended Tier Only)

The region of a sound wave with lower pressure , due to particles being spaced further apart, is called a rarefaction .

True or False? Sound waves are transverse waves. (Extended Tier Only)

False. Sound waves are longitudinal waves, travelling as a series of compressions and rarefactions .

What is the name of the region of a sound wave where the pressure is higher due to particles being closer together? (Extended Tier Only)

The region of a sound wave with higher pressure , due to particles being closer together, is called a compression .

True or False? Sound is a type of pressure wave. (Extended Tier Only)

True. Sound waves consist of compressions (regions of higher pressure) and rarefactions (regions of lower pressure), so the pressure of the air varies with the wave.

True or False? Sound waves can travel through a vacuum.

False. Sound waves need a medium to travel through, so they cannot travel through a vacuum where there are no particles.

What happens when a sound wave comes into contact with a solid?

The wave vibrations are transferred to the solid, making it vibrate. For example, sound waves can cause a drinking glass to vibrate, and too much vibration can cause the glass to shatter.

What is the typical speed of sound in air?

The speed of sound in air is about 340 m/s .

Through which state of matter does sound travel the fastest? (Extended Tier Only)

Sound travels fastest in solids , at around 5000 m/s.

Through which state of matter does sound travel the slowest? (Extended Tier Only)

Sound travels slowest in gases .

True or False? Measuring the speed of sound using an oscilloscope is the most accurate method.

True. Measuring the speed of sound using an oscilloscope is the most accurate method because the timing is done automatically.

What is the relationship between the frequency of a sound wave and its pitch ?

Sounds with a high frequency (or short wavelength) have a high pitch , and sounds with a low frequency (or long wavelength) have a low pitch .

What is the relationship between the amplitude of a sound wave and its volume ?

Sounds with a large amplitude have a high volume , and sounds with a small amplitude have a low volume .

True or False? Decreasing the amplitude of a sound wave will increase its volume.

False. Decreasing the amplitude of a sound wave will decrease its volume.

True or False? Increasing the frequency of a sound wave will increase its volume.

False. Increasing the frequency of a sound wave will increase its pitch , not its volume.

An echo is the reflection of a sound wave off a hard surface.

Define the term ultrasound .

Ultrasound is sound with a frequency higher than 20 kHz (20 000 Hz).

True or False? Ultrasound is not audible to humans.

True. Ultrasound has a frequency higher than 20 000 Hz , which is beyond the range of human hearing.

What is the approximate range of human hearing?

Humans can hear sounds between about 20 Hz and 20 000 Hz in frequency, although this range decreases with age.

Can a human hear a sound with a frequency of 18 kHz?

Yes. A frequency of 18 kHz is within the range of human hearing, which is about 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

IGCSEScienceCambridge (CIE)Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award)PhysicsFlashcards3. WavesSound

Sound (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award): Physics): Flashcards

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How are sound waves produced?

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Cards in this collection (21)

How are sound waves produced?
Sound waves are produced by vibrating (or oscillating) sources.
What is the name of the region of a sound wave where the pressure is lower due to particles being spaced further apart? (Extended Tier Only)
The region of a sound wave with lower pressure, due to particles being spaced further apart, is called a rarefaction.
True or False?
Sound waves are transverse waves. (Extended Tier Only)
False.
Sound waves are longitudinal waves, travelling as a series of compressions and rarefactions.
What is the name of the region of a sound wave where the pressure is higher due to particles being closer together? (Extended Tier Only)
The region of a sound wave with higher pressure, due to particles being closer together, is called a compression.
True or False?
Sound is a type of pressure wave. (Extended Tier Only)
True.
Sound waves consist of compressions (regions of higher pressure) and rarefactions (regions of lower pressure), so the pressure of the air varies with the wave.
True or False?
Sound waves can travel through a vacuum.
False.
Sound waves need a medium to travel through, so they cannot travel through a vacuum where there are no particles.
What happens when a sound wave comes into contact with a solid?
The wave vibrations are transferred to the solid, making it vibrate. For example, sound waves can cause a drinking glass to vibrate, and too much vibration can cause the glass to shatter.
What is the typical speed of sound in air?
The speed of sound in air is about 340 m/s.
Through which state of matter does sound travel the fastest? (Extended Tier Only)
Sound travels fastest in solids, at around 5000 m/s.
Through which state of matter does sound travel the slowest? (Extended Tier Only)
Sound travels slowest in gases.
Which equation is used to calculate the speed of sound from distance and time measurements?
$average speed = \frac{distance moved}{time taken}$
True or False?
Measuring the speed of sound using an oscilloscope is the most accurate method.
True.
Measuring the speed of sound using an oscilloscope is the most accurate method because the timing is done automatically.
What is the relationship between the frequency of a sound wave and its pitch?
Sounds with a high frequency (or short wavelength) have a high pitch, and sounds with a low frequency (or long wavelength) have a low pitch.
What is the relationship between the amplitude of a sound wave and its volume?
Sounds with a large amplitude have a high volume, and sounds with a small amplitude have a low volume.
True or False?
Decreasing the amplitude of a sound wave will increase its volume.
False.
Decreasing the amplitude of a sound wave will decrease its volume.
True or False?
Increasing the frequency of a sound wave will increase its volume.
False.
Increasing the frequency of a sound wave will increase its pitch, not its volume.
Define echo.
An echo is the reflection of a sound wave off a hard surface.
Define the term ultrasound.
Ultrasound is sound with a frequency higher than 20 kHz (20 000 Hz).
True or False?
Ultrasound is not audible to humans.
True.
Ultrasound has a frequency higher than 20 000 Hz, which is beyond the range of human hearing.
What is the approximate range of human hearing?
Humans can hear sounds between about 20 Hz and 20 000 Hz in frequency, although this range decreases with age.
Can a human hear a sound with a frequency of 18 kHz?
Yes. A frequency of 18 kHz is within the range of human hearing, which is about 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

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