Sound Waves Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What type of wave is sound?

Sound is a longitudinal wave made of compressions and rarefactions.

Why can’t sound travel through space?

Space is a vacuum. There are no particles to vibrate.

What produces a sound wave?

A vibrating object. It makes the surrounding medium vibrate.

How does frequency affect pitch?

Higher frequency means a higher pitch. Lower frequency means a lower pitch.

How does amplitude affect loudness?

Bigger amplitude means a louder sound. Smaller amplitude means a quieter sound.

What is the typical speed of sound in air at room temperature?

About 340 metres per second (m/s).

In which medium does sound travel fastest: gas, liquid, or solid?

Fastest in solids, slower in liquids, slowest in gases.

What is the range of human hearing?

About 20 hertz (Hz) to 20 kilohertz (kHz).

What is the wavelength of a sound wave?

The distance between two compressions or two rarefactions.

What is an echo?

A sound that has been reflected. You hear it after a delay.

How can you measure the speed of sound using an echo?

Time the echo from a wall at a known distance. Speed = 2 x distance / time.

How can two microphones measure the speed of sound in air?

Place them a known distance apart. Use an oscilloscope to find the time delay. Speed = distance / time.