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Properties of Sound Waves (Cambridge O Level Physics)
Revision Note
Pitch & Loudness
- 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)
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- Sounds with a large amplitude have a high volume
- Sounds with a small amplitude have a low volumeThe amplitude of a sound wave is related to its volume
Graphs of Different Amplitudes & Frequencies
The amplitude of a wave determines the volume of the sound and the frequency determines the pitch
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Different Sound Sources
- An oscilloscope is a device that can be used to study a rapidly changing signal, such as:
- A sound wave
- An alternating current
Oscilloscope
Oscilloscopes have lots of dials and buttons, but their main purpose is to display and measure changing signals like sound waves and alternating current
- When a microphone is connected to an oscilloscope, the (longitudinal) sound wave is displayed as though it were a transverse wave on the screen
- The time base (like the 'x-axis') is used to measure the time period of the wave
A Soundwave Depicted as a Transverse Wave on an Oscilloscope
A sound wave is displayed as though it were a transverse wave on the screen of the oscilloscope. The time base can be used to measure a full time period of the wave cycle
- The height of the wave (measured from the centre of the screen) is related to the amplitude of the sound
- The number of entire waves that appear on the screen is related to the frequency of the wave
- If the frequency of the sound wave increases, more waves are displayed on screen
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