physics sound and waves

disturbances that transfer energy over a distance

wave that requires a medium in which to travel

any material; solid, liquid, or gas

motion that occurs when the vibration, or oscillation, of an object is repeated in equal time intervals

wave that consists of a single disturbance

occurs when an object vibrates perpendicular to its axis

occurs when an object vibrates parallel to its axis

occurs when an object twists around

one complete vibration or oscillation

position of the object before it moves or vibrates

distance from the equilibrium (rest) position to maximum displacement

distance between successive wave particles that are in phase

points on a periodic wave that have the same frequency and same displacement (from rest position) and moving in the same direction

points on a periodic wave that have the same frequency but not in phase

points on periodic wave that have the same frequency and opposite displacement (from rest position) and moving in the opposite direction

high section of wave

low section of wave

region where the particles are closer together than normal

region where the particles are further apart than normal

sound wave in the range of human hearing, 20Hz to 20kHz

sound wave with a frequency below 20Hz

sound wave with a frequency above 20kHz

the sound energy reflected off a surface back to the producer of the sound

the ratio of the airspeed of an object to the local speed of sound (airspeed/local speed)

describes how humans perceive sound energy; dependent on sound intensity

the force per unit area (F/A)

the amount of sound energy being transferred per unit area; unit W/m^2

the unit of sound level used to describe sound intensity level

occurs when waves build on each other to make a larger wave

occurs when waves diminish one another and create a smaller wave

wave that is created when waves travelling in opposite directions have the same amplitude and wavelength

points that remain at rest

points midway between the nodes where maximum constructive interference occurs

wave crest resulting from constructive interference

wave trough resulting from constructive interference

the simplest and lowest frequency standing wave

the second lowest frequency standing wave

the third lowest frequency standing wave

the increases in amplitude of a wave (or vibration) due to the transfer of energy in phase with the natural frequency of the wave

the frequency at which a medium vibrates most easily

the resonance of a mechanical or acoustical system at its resonant frequency by energy transferred from an adjacent system vibrating at this same frequency

a wind induced vibration where the energy input from the wind equal or exceeds the energy lost due to damping, causing large (and potentially destructive) vibration

resonance involving sound wave

periodic changes in sound intensity caused by interference between two nearly identical sound waves

the process of determining the location of objects through the analysis of echoes, or reflected sound

• funnel for sound

• channels sound waves into the auditory canal

• part of the external ear

• magnifies sounds in the frequency range of 1000Hz to 5500Hz by a factor of about 10

• eardrum

• separates the outer ear from the middle ear

• tightly stretched, cone shaped membrane

• extremely sensitive

• connects the cavity containing the middle ear to the mouth

• filled with air

• only opens when you swallow or yawn

• transmits the vibrations of the eardrum to the inner ear while magnifying the pressure variations by a factor of about 22

• three smallest bones in the body

• the centre of the eardrum on the inner side is connected to it

• lever-like bone that rocks back and forth when the eardrum vibrates

• connected to the hammer

• vibration of the hammer causes it to vibrate

• transmits the eardrum vibrations to the start of the inner ear at the oval window

• when eardrum is pushed in by a compression wave, it pushes inward on the oval window

• when rarefaction is present in the outer ear and the eardrum is pushed outward, it pulls the oval window outward

• snail-shaped organ approximately 3cm long

• divided into two sections by the basilar membrane

• vibrations at the oval window cause pressure wavs in the fluid that fills it

• partition that divides the cochlea into two sections

• responds to different frequencies along its length

• when resonance is achieved, it will vibrate in one area which causes microscopic hairs in the area to vibrate

• three hard, fluid-filled loops in the inner ear

• right angles to each other

• act like accelerometers that help maintain the body’s balance by transmitting signals to the brain

• worn behind the ear or in the auditory canal

• magnifies sound and directs it to the ear

• consists of a microphone and an amplifier

consists of the pinna and auditory canal

consists of the eardrum and three small bones: the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup

consists of the cochlea and auditory nerve

the total effect of sound produced in an enclosed or restricted space

the time required for the loudness of the sound to drop by 60dB or until the sound is inaudible

an enormous sea wave or a series of enormous sea waves caused by an earthquake or other disturbance

waves of energy that travel through earth

a type of random vibration that is usually caused by an interruption of airflow