Sound energy

Sound is a type of energy made by vibrations. When an object vibrates, it causes

movement in surrounding air molecules. These molecules bump into the
molecules close to them, causing them to vibrate as well. This makes them bump
into more nearby air molecules. The frequency of the vibrations when detected
by the human ear it is recognized as sound.
When various objects are made to vibrate, they produce sound. For example,
quitter strings, drums, horns, trumpets, tuning fork etc when made to vibrate
they produce sounds of various tones.
The tuning fork
The prongs of the tuning fork are made to vibrate by striking them against a hard
surface. As they vibrate , they produce sound. Different sizes of turning forks
produce sound with different pitches.

Vibrating air columns

When air is blown over the mouth of a tube, sound is produced. The pitch of the
sound depends on the size of the tube.
Propagation of sound
When prongs of a tuning fork vibrate, they transfer kinetic energy to the air
molecules around them. This produces compressions (areas of high pressure) and
rarefactions (areas of low pressure). The energy is transferred to adjacent
molecule in that pattern until they knock the human ear drum and recognized as
sound of a given frequency or the vibrations become too weak to cause
recognizable vibrations to the eardrum or none at all.
When the pressure is plotted against time, a wave is produced

The direction of the vibrations is the same as that of the movement of sound. The
sound is transmitted through the medium without net forward movement of the
medium particles.
Sound requires a medium to move.
When there is air inside the jar and the circuit is completed, the sound of the
electric bell will be heard. However, if the air is pumped out to create a vacuum,
no sound will be heard form bell.
In air, the speed of sound is about 330m/s. This speed is depended on
temperature, humidity and wind. Sound travels fast at high temperature and high
humidity. Sound travels fast if the wind is blowing in the same direction and
slowed if the wind is on the opposing direction.
Speed of sound in solids is about 6000m/s. the velocity of sound in solids is
dependent on density of the solid.
The velocity of sound in fresh water is about 1400m/s and in salty water it is
about 1500 m/s.
Reflection of sound

1. Set up the tubes and reflective surface:

 Use two cardboard tubes (like toilet paper tubes) or metal tubes.
 Place them in a way that they are angled towards a flat, hard surface
like a wall.
  Ensure that the tubes are aligned in a way that the sound source will
be near the end of one tube and your ear will be near the end of the
other.
2. Sound Source:
 Place a ticking clock or a speaker emitting a sound (like music or a
beeping sound) near one end of the tube.
3. Observe the Reflection:
 Position your ear near the open end of the second tube.
 You should hear the sound from the source, even though the sound
source is on the opposite side of the reflective surface. This indicates
that the sound waves have bounced off the surface and travelled to
your ear.
 Move the listening tube until the sound is clearest and loudest.
 The incident angle is the same as the angle of reflection
Explanation:
This experiment demonstrates that sound waves, like light waves, can be
reflected off surfaces. The sound waves travel down the first tube, hit the
reflective surface (like a wall), and then bounce back, traveling down the second
tube to your ear. This confirms that sound obeys the laws of reflection, similar to
light.
Echo formation
  Sound Reflection:
When sound waves encounter a hard surface (like a wall, mountain, or even
water), they bounce back. This is called reflection.
 The Delay:
For a sound to be heard as an echo, the reflected sound needs to arrive at the
listener after the original sound has stopped. The delay is related to the distance
the sound travels to the reflecting surface and back.
 Large Surfaces:
Echo is more likely to be heard when the reflecting surface is large and rigid. Soft
surfaces absorb sound and reduce the reflected sound, making it harder to hear
an echo.
 Intensity of Sound:
The original sound needs to be loud enough for the echo to be distinguishable.
 Example:
Imagine shouting in a large, empty room. The sound waves bounce off the walls
and return to you as an echo.
How to minimize echo
1. Cover hard surfaces with soft materials:
 Rugs: Large area rugs, especially with a thick pad underneath, can
significantly reduce echo by absorbing sound waves.
 Curtains: Hang heavy, thick curtains across windows and walls to
absorb sound.
 Acoustic panels: Install acoustic panels or foam on walls to further
absorb sound.
2. 2. Strategic Furniture Placement:
 Full bookshelves: Tall, full bookshelves can help soften and dampen
echoes by forcing sound waves to bend around.
 Furniture with soft fabrics: Choose furniture with fabric upholstery,
as fabric is more effective at absorbing sound than materials like vinyl
or leather.
 Break up large spaces: Arrange furniture to create smaller, more
intimate areas, which can help reduce sound reflections.
Application of echo

1. Measuring Distances and Depth:

 Echo sounding:
Echoes are used to measure the depth of the sea or other bodies of water. A
sound wave is sent down, and the time it takes for the echo to return is used to
calculate the distance.
 Sonar:
This technology, used by submarines and ships, utilizes echoes to map the ocean
floor, locate objects, and measure distances in deep seawater.
 Wells and other structures:
Echoes can be used to determine the depth of wells by measuring the time it
takes for a sound wave to reflect off the bottom and return.
2. Detecting Obstacles and Navigation:
 Echolocation in animals:
Bats and dolphins use echolocation to navigate, hunt, and avoid obstacles by
emitting sound waves and interpreting the returning echoes.
 Human echolocation:
Some blind individuals can also use echolocation to navigate and perceive their
surroundings by listening to the echoes of sounds they produce.
3. Medical Applications:
 Ultrasound imaging: Medical ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves
and their echoes to create images of internal organs and tissues, aiding in
diagnosis and monitoring.
4. Other Applications:
 Exploration of gas and oil: Echo sounding and sonar techniques are used to
map the ocean floor and locate potential oil and gas deposits.
 Locating shoals of fish: Echoes can be used to detect and track fish
schools.
 Acoustic echo cancellation: This technology is used in video conferencing
and other applications to remove or reduce the echo of sound, improving
clarity and reducing distractions.
Sound pollution/ Noise
Unwanted or disturbing sound in the environment that affects the health and
well-being of humans and other living organisms.
Mitigation measures
Individual Actions:
 Soundproofing: Soundproofing homes and offices with materials like
acoustic panels, curtains, and rugs can significantly reduce noise levels.
  Noise-canceling headphones: These can provide temporary relief in noisy
environments.
 Using earplugs: Earplugs can protect hearing in loud environments.
 Avoiding noisy areas: If possible, avoid areas known for high noise levels.
 Turning off appliances: When not in use, appliances should be turned off to
reduce noise pollution.
 Speaking with neighbors: If noise pollution is a problem, discussing it with
neighbors can help find solutions.
 Contacting local government: Local authorities may be able to take action
to address noise pollution concerns.
Community Initiatives:
 Limiting unnecessary honking: In traffic, unnecessary honking should be
discouraged.
 Setting volume limits: Public address systems and speakers at social events
should have volume limits.
 Placing trees: Dense tree cover can help reduce noise pollution.
 Creating quiet spaces: Designating areas with lower noise levels can
provide refuge for people seeking quiet.
 Maintaining vehicles and machinery: Keeping vehicles and machinery well-
maintained can reduce noise output.
 Soundproof buildings: Commercial, hospital, and industrial buildings
should utilize soundproof systems.
 Noise barriers: Physical barriers can be used to block or reduce noise from
roads, railways, and other sources.
 Noise maps: Creating noise maps can help identify noise hotspots and
inform mitigation efforts.
Government Regulations:
 Regulations on noise levels:
Establishing limits on noise levels in specific areas can help control noise
pollution.
 Noise zoning:
Zoning regulations can separate noisy areas from residential and sensitive areas
like hospitals.
 Enforcing regulations:
Government agencies need to enforce noise regulations effectively.