Chapter 14 L3: Sound

Learn about sound waves, pitch, amplitude, and how your ear works with this fun science worksheet!

What are sound waves? 1. Sound waves are mechanical longitudinal waves that travel through a(n) medium.2. Sound waves are vibrations the ear can detect; they usually have frequencies in the range of 20 to 20,000 hertz (or Hz) for humans.3. As sound waves move through air, the air particles bounce off objects and exert pressure (or force). a. A(n) compression is the region of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are closest together. b. A(n) rarefaction is the region of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are farthest apart. Properties of Sound Waves 1. Many properties of sound waves depend on the compressions and rarefactions of the sound waves.2. The wavelength of a(n) wave becomes shorter as the wave’s frequency increases. a. Pitch is the perception of how high or low a sound seems. b. A sound that has a high frequency is considered to have a(n) high pitch.3. The greater the energy in a sound is, the farther the particles move as they vibrate. a. The amplitude of a sound wave is the distance that a vibrating particle moves from its rest position. b. The more energy a sound wave has, the greater the amplitude of the wave will be.4. Sound waves travel much slower than electromagnetic waves do. a. Sound waves travel slower through gases than through solids because the particles in gases are farther apart; so it takes longer to transfer sound energy between particles in a gas. b. Sound waves travel faster as the temperature of a gas increases, and sound waves travel slower as the temperature of a liquid decreases.5. Loudness is a person’s perception of a sound’s intensity.6. The decibel, abbreviated dB, is the unit used to measure sound intensity or loudness.7. Sounds above 80 dB can result in permanent hearing loss. Hearing and the Ear 1. The external outer ear collects sound waves.2. The middle ear includes the eardrum and three small bones; this part of the ear amplifies, or intensifies, the sound waves.3. The inner ear contains the cochlea, which converts sound waves to nerve signals that the brain then processes, creating the perception of sound.