sound
Definition
A sound is a form of energy that is transmitted by waves. Sound waves are longitudinal waves, which means that the particles of the medium through which they travel vibrate in the same direction as the wave is moving.
The speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium through which it is travelling. In the air, the speed of sound is about 340 meters per second. In water, the speed of sound is about 1,500 meters per second. In solids, the speed of sound can be much higher.
The pitch of a sound is determined by the frequency of the sound waves. The frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in a given amount of time. Higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches.
The loudness of a sound is determined by the amplitude of the sound waves. The amplitude is the maximum displacement of the particles of the medium from their equilibrium position. Larger amplitudes correspond to louder sounds.
How can the word be used?
The doctor sounded the patient's chest with a stethoscope.
Different forms of the word
Noun: sound (plural: sounds).
Verb: to sound.
Adjective: sounding.
Adverb: soundingly.
Etymology
The word "sound" comes from the Old English word "sund", which means "noise" or "report". It was first used in English in the 8th century.
The word "to sound" means "to make a noise" or "to produce a sound".
The word "sounding" means "producing a sound" or "resembling a sound".
The word "soundingly" means "in a loud or clear way".
Question
How does sound sound travel?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Explain the concept of sound waves and how they propagate through different mediums. Discuss the factors that influence the speed of sound and describe an everyday example of how sound travels.
Answer:
Sound waves are mechanical waves that result from the vibration of particles in a medium. When an object vibrates, it generates compressions and rarefactions in the surrounding air or other material, creating a series of pressure fluctuations that travel outward as a sound wave.
Sound waves can propagate through various mediums, including solids, liquids, and gases. In denser mediums, such as solids, particles are closely packed, leading to faster sound transmission. The speed of sound depends on both the medium's properties and temperature.
For example, sound travels faster through water than through air due to water's higher density. In everyday situations, consider the experience of lightning and thunder. Light travels much faster than sound, so during a thunderstorm, you may see a lightning flash before hearing the accompanying thunder. This delay is because sound waves propagate more slowly through the air, highlighting the difference in speed between light and sound.