Properties of Sound

EQ: How does intensity, loudness,

frequency and pitch affect sound
waves?

Vocabulary
Intensity the amount of energy an sound
wave carries per second through a unit
area. Measured in watts per meter
squared. W/m
Example When a sound wave carries a
large amount of energy, the molecules of the
medium move a greater distance as the wave
pass by, and the sound has a greater
amplitude
EQ: How does intensity, loudness,
frequency and pitch affect sound
waves?

Vocabulary
Loudness sound level, describes what
you actually hear. A sound wave of
greater intensity sounds louder
Decibels (dB) measures loudness. A
sound you can barely hear is 0 dB. 100dB
can damage your ears.
EQ: How does intensity, loudness,
frequency and pitch affect sound waves?

Intensity determines loudness.

A sound wave with a higher amplitude and energy
is perceived as a louder sound.

EQ: How does intensity, loudness, frequency

and pitch affect sound waves?

SECTION
OUTLINE

Intensity determines loudness.

A sound wave with a lower amplitude and energy
is perceived as a softer sound.

EQ: How does intensity, loudness,

frequency and pitch affect sound
waves?

Vocabulary
Frequency the number of vibrations that occur
per second in a sound wave. Measured in
Hertz. A frequency of 50Hz means 50 vibrations
per second.
We hear sounds with frequencies that are between
20Hz and 20,000Hz

Ultrasound sound waves with frequencies

above the normal range of hearing
Infrasound sound waves with frequencies below
the human range of hearing
EQ: How does intensity,
loudness, frequency and pitch
affect sound waves?

Vocabulary
Pitch a description of how high or how
low a sound seems to a person.
Pitch depends on the frequency of a
sound wave
High frequency means high pitch
Low frequency means low pitch
EQ: How does intensity, loudness, frequency and
pitch affect sound waves?

Frequency determines pitch.

A sound wave with a lower frequency and longer
wavelength is perceived to have a lower pitch.

A sound wave with a higher frequency and shorter

wavelength is perceived to have a higher pitch.

EQ: How does

intensity,
loudness,
frequency and
pitch affect
sound waves?

Piano Example of Pitch

Tension - A tighter string produces a higher
frequency. Therefore you hear the sound
at a higher pitch.
Length of the string - right side of the piano
has higher pitch, shorter string. Left side
of piano has lower pitch, longer string
Thickness of a string thicker means lower
EQ: How does intensity, loudness, frequency and
pitch
pitch affect sound waves?

Vocabulary
Resonance when the frequency of the
sound wave exactly matches the
frequency of an object

EQ: How does intensity, loudness,

frequency and pitch affect sound waves?

Doppler Effect
The apparent change in frequency as a
wave source moves in relation to the
listener
EQ: How does
intensity,
loudness,
frequency and
pitch affect
sound waves?

EQ: How does

intensity, loudness,
frequency and pitch
affect sound
waves?

Doppler Effect

As a sound source moves toward the

listener, the waves reach the listener with
a higher frequency. The pitch appears to
increase because of the Doppler effect

Class Work and Homework

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EQ: How does

intensity, loudness,
frequency and pitch
affect sound waves?

Read pages O 46 O 51.

Questions 1-6, p. O 51
2-2 Worksheet