Sound is a form of energy that is produced by vibrations. These vibrations create waves that travel through mediums such as air, water, or solids. The study of sound is known as acoustics.
Properties of Sound
Amplitude: The height of a sound wave, which determines its loudness.
Frequency: The number of vibrations per second, which determines the pitch of the sound.
Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive compressions or rarefactions in a sound wave.
When an object vibrates, it creates sound waves that travel outward in all directions. These wavescause the particles in the surrounding medium to vibrate, transmitting the sound energy from the source to our ears.
How We Hear Sound
When sound waves reach our ears, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted through the tiny bones in the middle ear to the cochlea in the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical signals that are sent to the brain and interpreted as sound.
Concepts of Physical Science: A student should understand and be able to apply the concepts, models, theories, universal principles, and facts that explain the physical world. A student who meets the content standard should:
Develop an understanding of the interactions between matter and energy, including physical, chemical, and nuclear changes, and the effects of these interactions on physical systems.