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.
History and Nature of Science: A student should understand the history and nature of science. A student who meets the content standard should:
Develop an understanding that historical perspectives of scientific explanations demonstrate that scientific knowledge changes over time, building on prior knowledge.
Develop an understanding that scientific knowledge is ongoing and subject to change as new evidence becomes available through experimental and/or observational confirmation(s).