Effects of Sound Waves (CIE IGCSE Physics: Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award))

• Changes in amplitude and frequency affect the loudness and pitch of sound waves
• The frequency of a sound wave is related to its pitch
  • Sounds with a high pitch have a high frequency (or short wavelength)
  • Sounds with a low pitch have a low frequency (or long wavelength)

• The amplitude of a sound wave is related to its volume
  • Sounds with a large amplitude have a high volume
  • Sounds with a small amplitude have a low volume

 

Pitch and amplitude of sound

• Sound waves reflect off hard surfaces
  • The reflection of a sound wave is called an echo

An example of an echo

A clap sound is reflected off a wall. When the reflected sound is heard this is the echo