Characteristics of sound wave | Properties of sound wave
Last updated on June 28th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
In this post, we will list down some important features of sound waves (the nature of sound waves).
Characteristics of sound wave | Properties of sound wave
Sound is a longitudinal wave transferred by oscillating molecules and it needs a medium through which it can travel.
Sound cannot travel across a vacuum.
Sound is created when a surface vibrates (oscillates) and disturbs the air that surrounds it, producing a series of compressions and rarefactions that travel away from the surface as a longitudinal wave.
![figure 1: a sound wave travelling in the air away from the surface of a vibrating loudspeaker. A series of compressions and rarefactions are superimposed on the random motions of air molecules.](https://physicsteacher.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image-99.png)
Figure 1 represents a sound wave traveling in the air away from the surface of a vibrating loudspeaker. A series of compressions and rarefactions are superimposed on the random motions of air molecules. As a sound wave passes through air it causes tiny variations in pressure and density.
The loudness of a sound depends on the amplitude of the wave.
The pitch of a sound depends on the frequency of the wave.
The range of hearing of the human ear is approximately 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Higher frequencies are described as ultrasonic.
Figure 2 represents two different sound waves. The upper one is a louder and higher-pitched sound than the lower one.
![](https://physicsteacher.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image-100.png)
Sound travels much faster and with less absorption through solids and liquids than through air. This is because the molecules are closer together and have forces between them.