Sound Waves Essay, Research Paper
Sound is part of our everyday lives. Just like we have eyes for, we are given ears for hearing sound. We rarely take the time to think about the characteristics of sound and the ways that they are made. The basis for an understanding of sound and hearing is the physics of waves. Sound is a wave, which is created by vibrating objects and spread through a medium from one location to another. In this paper, we will look at the nature, properties and behaviors of sound waves.
A wave can be described as a disturbance that travels through a medium, transporting energy from one location to another location. The medium is simply the material through which the sound, or disturbance, is moving; it can be thought of as a series of interacting particles. The example of a slinky wave is often used to illustrate the nature of a wave. A disturbance is typically created within the slinky by the back and forth movement of the first coil of the slinky. The first coil becomes disturbed and begins to push or pull on the second coil; this push or pull on the second coil will shift the second coil from its balanced position. As the second coil becomes shifted, it begins to push or pull on the third coil; the push or pull on the third coil displaces it from its balanced position. As the third coil becomes shifted, it begins to push or pull on the fourth coil. This process continues one after the other, each individual particle acting to displace the neighboring particle; eventually the disturbance travels all the way through the slinky. As the disturbance moves from coil to coil, the energy which was originally introduced into the first coil is transported along the medium from one location to another.
A sound wave is similar to a slinky for a couple of reasons. First, there is a medium, which carries the disturbance from one location to another. Usually, this medium is air; though it could be any material such as water or steel. The medium is simply a series of interconnected and interacting particles. Second, there is an original source of the wave, some vibrating object capable of disturbing the first particle of the medium. The vibrating object, which creates the disturbance, could be the vocal chords of a person, the vibrating string and sound board of a guitar or violin, the vibrating tines of a tuning fork, or the vibrating diaphragm of a radio speaker. Third, the sound wave is transported from one location to another by means of the particle interaction. If the sound wave is moving through air, then as one air particle is shifted from its balanced position, it exerts a push or pull on its nearest neighbors, causing them to be shifted from their equilibrium position. This particle interaction continues throughout the entire medium, with each particle interacting and causing a disturbance of its nearest neighbors. Since a sound wave is a disturbance, which is transported through a medium via the means of particle interaction, a sound wave is characterized as a mechanical wave.
The creation of sound waves are often demonstrated by using a tuning fork. A tuning fork is a metal object that has two tines(spikes) that vibrate if they are hit by a rubber hammer or mallet. As the tines of the tuning forks vibrate back and forth, they begin to disturb surrounding air molecules. These disturbances are passed on to neighboring air molecules by the means of particle interaction. The motion of the disturbance, originating at the tines of the tuning fork and traveling through the medium (in this case, air) is what is referred to as a sound wave.
Sometimes, the tuning fork is mounted on a soundboard. When this happens, the vibrating tuning fork, connected to the soundboard, sets the soundboard into a vibrating motion. In turn, the soundboard sets the air inside of the it into a vibrating motion. As the tines of the tuning fork, the structure of the soundboard, and the inside of the soundboard begin vibrating at the same frequency, a louder sound is produced. In fact, the more particles which can be made to vibrate, the louder or more amplified the sound. This concept is also demonstrated by the placing the vibrating tuning fork against the glass panel of a window; the vibrating tuning fork sets the glass panel into a vibrating motion and results in an amplified sound.
There are two different categories of waves: mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves are waves that have an electric and magnetic nature and that are capable of traveling through a vacuum. Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium in order to transport their energy. Mechanical waves are waves that require a medium in order to transport their energy from one location to another. Because mechanical waves rely on particle interaction in order to transport their energy, they cannot travel through regions of space which have no particles, so sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum.
Sound is created by a vibrating object. The vibrations of the object set particles in the surrounding medium in a vibrating motion, transporting energy through the medium. The vibrations of the particles are best described as longitudinal. Longitudinal waves are waves that the motion of the individual particles of the medium are in a direction which is parallel to the direction of energy transport. A longitudinal wave can be created in a slinky if the slinky is stretched out in a horizontal direction and the first coils of the slinky are vibrated horizontally. When this happens, each individual coil of the medium is set into a vibrating motion in directions parallel to the direction which the energy is transported.
So sound waves are longitudinal. A vibrating string can create longitudinal waves. As the vibrating string moves in the forward direction, it begins to push upon surrounding air molecules, moving them to the right towards their nearest neighbor. This causes the air molecules to the right of the string to be compressed into a small region of space. As the vibrating string moves in the reverse direction (leftward), it lowers the pressure of the air immediately to its right, thus causing air molecules to move back leftward. The lower pressure to the right of the string causes air molecules in that region immediately to the right of the string to expand into a large region. The back and forth vibration of the string causes air molecules in the region to continually move back and forth horizontally; the molecules move rightward as the string moves rightward and then leftward as the string moves leftward. These back and forth vibrations are passed on to bordering neighbors by particle interaction; making other surrounding particles begin to move rightward and leftward, then sending a wave to the right. Since air molecules are moving in a direction which is parallel to the direction which the wave moves, the sound wave is referred to as a longitudinal wave. The result of such longitudinal vibrations is the creation of compressions and rarefactions within the air. Regardless of the source of the sound wave – whether it is the vibrating string or the vibrating tines of a tuning fork – sound is a longitudinal wave. And the essential characteristic of a longitudinal wave is that the particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction of energy transport.
So as you can see, sound waves are both mechanical and longitudinal. And they are constantly around us and effecting all that we do. Whether we are talking, singing or even listening to music, sound is a major part of our everyday lives and that will probably never change (unless we run out of AIR).
Другие работы по теме:
Descriptive Essay About A Comp Essay Research
Paper The Computer A computer is a very unique machine. It has many different parts and a lot of different noises. Some parts are hot, and some are cold. Computers have many different sounds that they make. Depending on the sound it makes, it could have a problem. When your computer beeps at you. It normally means that an error has occurred and that it needs to be fixed.
Sound Waves Essay Research Paper In this
Sound Waves Essay, Research Paper In this chapter we studied sound waves. In this paper you will read about how the ear works, how acoustics work and how sound waves are used in real life in medicine and music.
Sound Waves Essay Research Paper Sound WavesWaves
Sound Waves Essay, Research Paper Sound Waves Waves are disturbances that travel through a space while changing its matter. A sound wave is what allows us to hear sounds. It is created by vibrations, which are made by the movement of matter. Sound waves must travel through a solid, a liquid, or a gas. The more tight the particles, the faster the wave will travel.
The Bells Essay Research Paper The Bellsby
The Bells Essay, Research Paper The Bells by Edgar Allan Poe ?The Bells? is one of Poe’s famous poems, in which Poe tries to make the bells sound real. He tries to make the sounds by using words instead of sound, which is really annoying when
Simon Birch Essay Research Paper The overall
Simon Birch Essay, Research Paper The overall effectiveness of the film Simon Birch is enhanced by technical details such as, sound, lighting, colour and symbolic representation. Sound is an effective means of creating atmosphere and hence creating audience appeal. Similarly, lighting also brings emotion and mood to a film.
Imbalance Essay Research Paper Terms and ConditionsI
Imbalance Essay, Research Paper Terms and Conditions I. About Imbalance Music, started by the members of Imbalance, is a new, but not inexperienced studio. The producers of Imbalance Music have a knowledgeable sense of the equipment they work with. The studio, The Garden , is located in Corbin, KY at the junction of Hwy 1629 and Hwy 830.
Euphemisms Essay Research Paper Euphemisms can be
Euphemisms Essay, Research Paper Euphemisms can be used to make something bad sound not so bad, for example when showing compassion to someone who has lost a loved one, but when euphemisms are used to disguise a harmful meaning or event, then it becomes doublespeak. People in our society use euphemisms in every day life.
Critical Essay On The Eagle Essay Research
Paper Critical Essay The name of the poem I am writing about is called ?The Eagle? by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It is in figurative language form. The poem is divided into 2 Stanza?s with 3 lines each. And there are an
Sensing Sound Essay Research Paper Sensing SoundWhen
Sensing Sound Essay, Research Paper Sensing Sound When we think of hearing, most only consider the outer ear. In reality, the inner ear is the part that does all of the work. The outer ear works as a reverse megaphone, which collects the sounds that we hear and brings them into the inner part of the ear. Ears are located on either side of the head to help with sound localization.
The Ear Essay Research Paper THE EARThe
The Ear Essay, Research Paper THE EAR The Ear is one of the five sense organs. It allows us to hear. Hearing is one of our most important senses. Speech development depends on hearing. Without hearing, our speech would not sound right. Children learn to talk by copying what other people say. Hearing is not a simple process.
Visual Analysis Essay Research Paper A Tour
Visual Analysis Essay, Research Paper A Tour of the restaurantOn a casual day drive through Old Town Chicago, people may drive by a restaurant with a big sign with two large strange Chinese looking characters and on the bottom says Kamehachi. As one look more closely, the restaurant is pact with people. The valet parking is busy running around, and a line of people waiting to get in.
Sound Nature Essay Research Paper
Very simply, sound is the vibration of any substance. The substance can be air, water, wood, or any other material, and in fact the only place in which sound cannot travel is a vacuum. When these substances vibrate, or rapidly move
Saxophone Essay Research Paper The Saxophone is
Saxophone Essay, Research Paper The Saxophone is probably one of the most popular instruments to date. there are 13 different types of saxophones, but only four are regularly used. This instrument has a sound all of
Patricia Smith Essay Research Paper Patti Smith
Patricia Smith Essay, Research Paper Patti Smith Homepages, Biographies, and Interests a patti smith babelogue – The premier site for any and all information, from contacting patti to poetry, sound clips, performances, etc.
Rave Music Essay Research Paper What u
Rave Music Essay, Research Paper What u need Its not as easy as you think to throw a Rave, this sounds kind of easy, but it take takes a lot of hard work and dedication. The first thing you need is money, and the reason you need money is because you need to make a lot of deposits. If the cash flow isn’t that big then you get what are called investors, they put in their money and hope to get it back.
The Physics Of Sound Essay Research Paper
Sound surrounds us at all times. The ring of an alarm clock or the whistle of birds may wake us up in the morning. Through out the day, we hear a variety of sounds; for instance, the banging of pots and pans, the roar of traffic, and the voices of people. When we fall asleep at night, we might listen to the sounds of frogs croaking or the wind whistling.
How Does The SurroundSound Technique
Work Essay, Research Paper How does the surround-sound technique work? Surround Sound which was introduced by Dolby Laboratories Inc to position sound around the audience so that the effects within movies would make them feel as though they were really there. The use of directional sound from different points in the room according to their depth, sharpness and clarity was the main goal.
Huckleberry Finn Conscience Essay Research Paper A
Huckleberry Finn, Conscience Essay, Research Paper A Matter of Conscience Society and the values of others around you is where your conscience comes from. This however, is a deformed conscience. It has been molded by society s views, not your own. Just because society taught you to believe in something, doesn t make it right.
Citizen Kane Essay Research Paper Citizen KaneWhat
Citizen Kane Essay, Research Paper Citizen Kane What makes an excellent movie? Orson Welles starred and produced in the movie Citizen Kane, now known as the greatest movie ever made. Citizen Kane loosely portrays the life of William Randolph Hearst. In the movie, the use of sound, great acting, and irony help make this movie number one.
Sound Essay Research Paper Decibels are the
Sound Essay, Research Paper Decibels are the units of measurement used to describe voltage and power levels. The abbreviation for a decibel is dB (Sauvala). Some decibel comparisons are: 10 dB is about as loud as someone whispering, 70 dB is a shouted conversation, and 110 dB is as loud as a jet engine (“Sound”).
Sound In Poetry Essay Research Paper Sound
Sound In Poetry Essay, Research Paper Sound in Poetry Poems usually begin with words or phrase which appeal more because of their sound than their meaning, and the movement and phrasing of a poem. Every poem has a texture of sound, which is at least as important as the meaning behind the poem. Rhythm, being the regular recurrence of sound, is at the heart of all natural phenomena: the beating of a heart, the lapping of waves against the shore, the croaking of frogs on a summer’s night, the whisper of wheat swaying in the wind.
Radio Waves Essay Research Paper Radio waves
Radio Waves Essay, Research Paper Radio waves travel at 186,000 miles per second through air. In contrast, sound waves travel at only 1/5 of a mile per second. If a modulation is made of the radio wave that exactly reproduces the amplitude and frequency characteristics of the original sound wave, then sound can be transmitted rapidly over long distances.
Ithaka By Botho Strauss Essay Research Paper
The play Ithaka, by Botho Strauss is an example of a postmodern play. In this paper I will discuss the relationship between the play and the times that the author has written this play with the emphasis of the director and costume designer in mind. To discuss this notion I will comment on the design elements, such as sound, lighting, stage, and costume design.
Magnetic Spectrum Essay Research Paper Electromagnetic SpectrumAn
Magnetic Spectrum Essay, Research Paper Electromagnetic Spectrum An electromagnetic spectrum is the spectrum in which electromagnetic waves are sent out and in which they can be detected. The spectrum of electromagnetic waves includes the following waves: microwave, radar, satellite, UHF T.V., VHF T.V., FM radio, CB radio, amateur radio, and AM radio.
Christmas Concert Essay Research Paper I recently
Christmas Concert Essay, Research Paper I recently attended a Christmas concert at St. Augustine’s Church in Elkdridge. For the most part, the choir blended well together. Sometimes the sopranos could
Poem The Beach Essay Research Paper Ryan
Poem: The Beach Essay, Research Paper Ryan Hartney English 9 3/8/01 The Beach I have always liked the beach best Its fun in the sun for everyone You can have a picnic
Acoustics In Music Essay Research Paper Acoustics
Acoustics In Music Essay, Research Paper Acoustics in Music Through out the history of music, acoustics have played a major role. After all if it were not for acoustics the quality of sound that we know today would not exist. The word acoustics comes from the Greek word akouein, which means, “to hear”(Encarta Encyclopedia).
Television Essay Research Paper We have at
Television Essay, Research Paper We have at least a television in our home. television allows us to hear and see events as soon as they happen. If our grandma’s mother or father see TV, they’ll
Poetry Research Paper Essay Research Paper Poetry
Poetry Research Paper Essay, Research Paper Poetry can both broaden and intesify an experience9…0 it can also illuminate, clarify, and deepen an occurence in a way a reader never considered.9…0poetry communicates expereince by appealing to both the thoughts and feelings of its reader.Poetry demands total response from the individual-all the intellect, senses, emotion, and imaginaTION. (CL)
MS Power Point Essay Research Paper Reflection
MS Power Point Essay, Research Paper Reflection on MS Power Point The Microsoft Power Point presentation that we just completed was a fun project. I learned how to set up Power Point slides while infiltrating animation and sound.
Guitars Essay Research Paper GuitarsThe electric guitar
Guitars Essay, Research Paper Guitars The electric guitar can be classified in three types on the basis of varied sounds. The most important thing relating to sound are the pick-ups. There are two types of pick-ups that come in guitars, double coil and single coil. A Double coil offers more clarity and has warmer tone.