Sound: Volume, Velocity, and Other Properties
Most recent answer: 05/02/2013
Q:
How is volume created in sound? Does a loud sound travel faster than a quiet sound? What happens when sound waves collide? Does sound take up space? Thanks!
- Tammy (age 30)
Reston, VA
- Tammy (age 30)
Reston, VA
A:
Hello Tammy,
Sound is the result of vibrations or oscillations in media such as air, water or metals.
The louder the sound, the larger the amplitude of these oscillations. They travel with a certain speed determined mainly by the density and stiffness of the material. For example Vair is about 340 meters per second at ground level. This can vary a bit depending mainly on the temperature. Sound travels about 4.3 times as fast in water, 1,480 m/s, and nearly 15 times as fast in iron. The pitch we hear is directly related to the frequency of the oscillations.
To first order, the speed of sound does not depend on the intensity. Sound waves can cheerfully pass through each other if they are of different frequency. If they have the same frequency, however, they may set up 'standing wave patterns' where the sum is louder in some spots, but weaker in others,. Total energy is always conserved..
Sound does not take up space since it is only a vibration of things already there.
LeeH
Sound is the result of vibrations or oscillations in media such as air, water or metals.
The louder the sound, the larger the amplitude of these oscillations. They travel with a certain speed determined mainly by the density and stiffness of the material. For example Vair is about 340 meters per second at ground level. This can vary a bit depending mainly on the temperature. Sound travels about 4.3 times as fast in water, 1,480 m/s, and nearly 15 times as fast in iron. The pitch we hear is directly related to the frequency of the oscillations.
To first order, the speed of sound does not depend on the intensity. Sound waves can cheerfully pass through each other if they are of different frequency. If they have the same frequency, however, they may set up 'standing wave patterns' where the sum is louder in some spots, but weaker in others,. Total energy is always conserved..
Sound does not take up space since it is only a vibration of things already there.
LeeH
(published on 05/02/2013)