Characteristics of Sound waves

Sound waves are those vibrations which when approaches our ears, are taken to the brain, and the brain then processes the information so that the sound is heard.

The characteristics of sound waves affect the waves and the propagation in different ways, there are 5 basic characteristics of the sound wave. When the vibration is drawn in form of a wave, it becomes really easy to deduce the characteristics just by looking at the wave, 

Note: The wave shown above is a transverse wave, but sound waves are known to be longitudinal in nature, they represented in longitudinal form for better understanding of the concepts

Wavelength (λ)

A Wavelength is defined as the minimum distance covered by the Wave before it starts repeating itself. The wavelength is actually a length parameter, hence, the SI unit of wavelength is meter. The sound wave is longitude in nature, and the combination of the distance of one complete rarefaction and compression gives wavelength. The symbol for the wavelength used is λ.

Time Period (T)

The Time period of a sound wave is defined as the time required for one complete cycle. One cycle of the wave is defined by one complete rarefaction and compression in the vibration. The time period is measured in seconds. Time period is also used to find out the frequency of the wave, the reciprocal of the time period gives the frequency of the wave.

Frequency/Pitch (ν)

The frequency of the sound wave is defined as the number of cycles completed by the wave in 1 second. The frequency of the wave can also be defined as the number of vibrations created by the wave in one second.

The SI unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz) and it is represented as the symbol nu (ν). Frequency is that parameter of the wave which does not change by changing the medium of the propagation. Hence, the frequency of the wave always remains the same.

An example of the frequency of the wave is,

In the above figure, the frequency of the wave is to be determined. As it is clearly visible that two cycles are completed in 1 second. Hence, it can be concluded that the frequency of the wave is 2 Hz.

Formula to find out the frequency of the wave,

Frequency (ν) = 1/T, Where T= Time Period

Note: The Time period and frequency of a wave are reciprocal to each other and therefore, if a wave has more Time period, it will have less frequency and vice versa.

Sound is nothing but the vibrations (a form of energy) that propagates in the form of waves through a certain medium. Different types of medium affect the properties of the wave differently.

Does this mean that Sound will not travel if the medium does not exist? Correct. It will not, It is impossible for sound waves to travel in a vacuum.

For different living beings, the audible frequency varies, for example, for humans, Sound waves that lie between the frequency of 20Hz to 20kHz are audible, All the frequencies lesser than this are infrasonic and all the frequencies above this frequency are ultrasonic for humans. 

There are so many other characteristics of sound waves that affect the wave and its properties. Let’s take a look at them,