Propagation of Sound
Propagation of Sound: Overview
This topic describes how the sound propagates from one place to another place through different mediums. We will learn that the medium of sound transmission can be solid, liquid or gas.
Important Questions on Propagation of Sound
Distinguish between loudness and intensity of sound.

A person is listening to a tone of sitting at a distance of from the source of the sound. What is the time interval between successive compressions from the source?

Calculate the wavelength of a sound wave whose frequency is and speed is in a given medium.

How are the wavelength and frequency of a sound wave related to its speed?

What are the wavelength, frequency, time period and amplitude of a sound wave?

What is loudness of sound? What factors does it depend on?

What is reverberation? How can it be reduced?

A sound wave travels at a speed of . If its wavelength is what is the frequency of the wave? Will it be audible?

The frequency of a source of sound is . How many times does it vibrate in a minute?

Two children are at opposite ends of an aluminium rod. One strikes the end of the rod with a stone. Find the ratio of times taken by the sound wave in air and in aluminium to reach the second child. Take the speed of sound wave in aluminium and in air at, as respectively.

A person has a hearing range from to . What are the typical wavelengths of sound waves in air corresponding to these two frequencies? Take the speed of sound in air as .

Flash and thunder are produced simultaneously. But thunder is heard a few seconds after the flash is seen, why?

Which characteristic of the sound helps you to identify your friend by his voice while sitting with others in a dark room?

Why is sound wave called a longitudinal wave?

Cite an experiment to show that sound needs a material medium for its propagation.

Describe with the help of a diagram, how compressions and rarefactions are produced in the air near a source of sound?

In which of the three media, air, water or iron, does sound travel the fastest at a particular temperature?

Guess which sound has a higher pitch: guitar or car horn?

Which wave property determines (a) loudness (b) pitch

Suppose you and your friend are on the moon. Will you be able to hear any sound produced by your friend?
