Properties of Sound Waves (Cambridge O Level Physics)

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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)

    • 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

 4-2-4-pitch-and-volume_sl-physics-rn

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

Oscilloscope, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

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

Sound Wave in an Oscilloscopes, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

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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Leander

Author: Leander

Expertise: Physics

Leander graduated with First-class honours in Science and Education from Sheffield Hallam University. She won the prestigious Lord Robert Winston Solomon Lipson Prize in recognition of her dedication to science and teaching excellence. After teaching and tutoring both science and maths students, Leander now brings this passion for helping young people reach their potential to her work at SME.