Mechanical Waves

Mechanical Waves : The waves

which can be propagated only in the
Waves material medium are called
mechanical waves.

They are : Longitudinal and

Transverse
 Elasticity: Medium should possess
the elastic properties so that the
particles can return to their mean
position

Properties required by Inertia: Medium must possess inertia or

the medium to mass so that the particles can store
propagate the waves kinetic energy

Minimum friction or Damping: Frictional

force among the particles of the medium
should be negligible so that they continue
oscillating for a sufficiently long time in
the medium
 The Bell- Jar Experiment
To show that the sound wave is a mechanical wave:
• Sound is a mechanical wave that needs a material medium
like air, water, steel, etc., for its propagation. We can describe
a sound wave by its frequency, wavelength and velocity. The
sound wave is a longitudinal wave, i.e., the particles of the
medium vibrate in a direction parallel to the direction of the
propagation of the wave.
• A sound wave travels in the form of compressions and
rarefactions and it requires a material medium for its
propagation. Sound always originates from some vibrating
body. For example, vibrations produced by tuning forks,
drums, bells, the strings of a guitar, etc. Human voice
originates from the vibrations of the vocal chords and the
sound from the musical instruments is due to the vibrations
of the air columns.
• The bell jar experiment is a common experiment used to
demonstrate that sound needs a medium to travel.
What is a bell jar?
• A bell jar is a laboratory equipment used for creating a vacuum. It
is so named as its shape is similar to that of a bell. A bell jar is
placed on a base which is vented to a hose fitting that can be
connected via a hose to a vacuum pump. By pumping the air out
of the bell jar, the air pressure inside the jar can be varied.
• The experiment is done by placing an electrical bell in the bell jar. As
the air is pumped out of the sealed bell jar, the sound from the bell
jar fades. At a particular vacuum, no more sound is heard from the
bell, but we can see that the hammer continues hitting the gong and
sound is produced. However, the sound is not audible to our ears
because of the vacuum inside the jar. This demonstrates that the
sound wave cannot travel through vacuum. That is, a sound wave
needs a material medium for its propagation.
 Speed of Sound Wave in any Medium
We know that, the sound wave is a mechanical wave. The
medium through which sound travels must possess mainly
two properties: Elasticity and Inertia. So, the velocity of the
wave depends upon these two factors.
Hence, the velocity of sound in any medium depends upon
the elasticity (E) of the medium and its density (𝜌).
Let, v be the velocity of the wave then we can write,
v ∝ Ea
& v ∝ 𝜌𝑏
Combining both relations, v ∝ Ea. 𝜌𝑏
or, v =k Ea. 𝜌𝑏 ………………(i)
Where, k is proportionality constant and a & b are indices to be determined
by dimensional method.
Now, the dimensional formula of v = [M0LT-1]
the dimensional formula of E = [ML-1T-2]
the dimensional formula of 𝜌 = [ML-3T0]
Hence, equation (i) becomes ,
[M0LT-1] = k [ML-1T-2]a. [ML-3T0]b
Or, [M0LT-1] = k [Ma+bL-a-3bT-2a]
Comparing powers of M, L and T on both sides and solving,
We get, a = 1Τ2 and b = −1Τ2
Substituting the values of a and b in equation (i) , we get,
1 −1
2.
v = k.𝐸 𝜌 2

But, experimentally, the value of k is found to be 1.

𝐸
Hence, v =
𝜌

𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
v=
𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
 Speed of Sound in a Solid
When a sound wave propagates through the medium, the
particles of the medium vibrate along the direction of wave
propagation. This produces a series of higher and lower
pressure regions called as compressions and rarefactions
respectively. This means that there is change in volume at
different parts of the medium. The medium should possess
volume elasticity to travel longitudinal waves.
So, the speed of sound waves in a medium is partly governed
by the modulus of elasticity E and partly by the inertia of the
medium ( which depends upon the density 𝜌 of the
medium).
 (a) Speed of longitudinal waves in solid rod: In a solid rod,
the Young’s modulus of elasticity is taken in to account.
𝑌
So, Speed of sound in a solid rod is given as v = , Where, Y
𝜌
is Young’s modulus of elasticity and 𝜌 is the density of the
solid.
(b) Speed of longitudinal waves in other solids: For the bulk
solid (other than thin rod) , the bulk modulus K and the
modulus of rigidity 𝜂 plays role.
4𝜂
𝐾+
3
So, Speed of sound is given as v =
𝜌
(c) Speed of transverse waves in Solid: The speed of
transverse waves travelling along a stretched string is given as
𝑇
v= , Where T is tension in the string and 𝜇 is
𝜇
mass per unit length of the string.

(d) The speed of transverse waves travelling in solids other

𝜂
than a string is given as v = , where 𝜂 is the modulus of
𝜌
rigidity and 𝜌 is the density of the solid.
(N.1) For a steel rod, the Young’s modulus of elasticity is 2.9 x
1011 Nm-2 and density is 8 x 103 kg m-3 . Find the velocity of
the longitudinal waves in the steel rod.
Solution: Here, Young’s modulus, Y = 2.9 x 1011 Nm-2
Density, 𝜌= 8 x 103 kg m-3
Since, velocity of longitudinal waves in steel rod is given as
𝑌
v=
𝜌

2.9 x 1011
=
8 x 103
= 6.02x 103 m/s
(N.2) For the aluminum , the modulus of rigidity is 2.1x1011Nm-2 and
density is 2.7x103kgm-3. Find the velocity of transverse waves in the
medium.
𝜼
Hint: Use the relation v = .
𝝆

(N.3) For aluminum , the bulk modulus and modulus of rigidity are 7.5
X 1010Nm-2 and 2.1 x 1010Nm-2 respectively. Find the velocity of
longitudinal wave in the medium.
Density of aluminum is 2.7x103kgm-3.
Hint: K, 𝜼 and 𝝆 are given.
𝟒𝜼
𝑲+
𝟑
Use the relation: v =
𝝆
 Speed of sound in Liquids
For liquids, the modulus of rigidity is negligible. So, the bulk
modulus K is significant. So, the speed of sound in liquids is given
as
𝐾
v= , Where K is the bulk modulus and 𝜌 is
𝜌
the density of the liquid.
(N.4) At a pressure of 105Nm-2 , the volume strain of water is 5 x 10-5.
Calculate the speed of sound in water. Density of water is 103 kgm-3.
𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠(𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒)
Solution: Since, bulk modulus K = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛
105
=
5 x 10−5
= 2 x 109 Nm-2
Also, Density, 𝜌 = 103 kgm-3
𝐾
Speed of sound in water is v = = 1.41 x 103m/s.
𝜌
 Speed of Sound in Air or Gas ( Very Imp.)
Q. State Newton’s formula for the velocity of sound in gases.
What correction was done by Laplace on it?
Newton’s Formula
Assumption: Newton assumed that when sound travels
through air or gases, the temperature of the air or gas remains
constant i.e. it is isothermal process. When sound travels,
compressions and rarefactions are formed. The change in
pressure and volume in compressions and rarefactions is so
slow that the heat produced during the compression is lost to
the surrounding gas while the heat lost during rarefaction is
gained from the surrounding gas.
In isothermal process, PV = Constant ………(i)
Differentiating both sides, P.dV + V.dP = 0
or, P.dV = - VdP
− VdP
Or, P =
dV
dP
Or, P = dV
−( )
V
∴ P=K where, K = Bulk modulus of air or gas.
𝐾
So, Velocity of sound in air or gas is v=
𝜌
𝑃
v= ………(ii)
𝜌
Equation (ii) is the Newton’s formula for the velocity of
sound in air.
At NTP, Density of air, 𝜌 = 1.293 kg/m3
Atmospheric Pressure, P = 1 atm
= 760 mm of Hg
= 1.013 x 105 N/m2
P 1.013 x 105
So, v= = = 280 m/s
𝝆 1.293
But, this value is not in agreement with the experimental
value ( 332m/s). This discrepancy in theoretical and
experimental value is corrected by Laplace known as
Laplace correction.
Laplace Correction
According to Laplace, the compression and rarefaction
occur so rapidly that neither heat is transferred to the
surrounding during compression nor heat is taken from
the surrounding during rarefaction. So, sound waves in
a gas propagate through an adiabatic process.
In adiabatic process, PV𝛾 = constant ……(iii)
𝐶𝑝
where, 𝛾 (= )
is the ratio of molar heat capacity of air
𝐶𝑣
at constant pressure to that at constant volume.
Differentiating eq. (iii), we get,
P (𝛾 V𝛾-1dV) +V𝛾dP = 0
Or, P (𝛾 V𝛾-1dV) = - V𝛾dP
Or, P. 𝛾. V𝛾. V-1.dV = - V𝛾dP
P. 𝛾.dV
Or, = - dP
𝑉
𝑑𝑉
Or, P. 𝛾( ) = - dP
𝑉
𝑑𝑃
Or, 𝛾P = 𝑑𝑉
−( )
𝑉
Or, 𝛾P = K ……(iv), where K is Bulk modulus.
 𝐾
Since, v =
𝜌

𝜸P
Or, v = …..(v) (Using equation (iv))
𝝆
We have, for air, 𝛾 = 1.4
𝜸P 1.4 ×1.013 x 105
So, v = = = 331.2 m/s
𝝆 1.293
This value of velocity is in close agreement with the
experimental value. Thus, the Laplace formula gives the
correct value of velocity of sound in air.
Factors affecting the velocity of sound in Gas or Air (Imp)
1) Effect of temperature:
𝛾𝑃
Since, v = …..(i)
𝜌
For n - mole of gas, PV = nRT
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑚
But n = =
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑀
𝑚
∴ PV = .RT
𝑀
𝑃𝑉 𝑅𝑇
Or, =
𝑚 𝑀
𝑃 𝑅𝑇 𝑚
Or, = ……(ii) (∵ 𝜌 = )
𝜌 𝑀 𝑉
∴ From equations (i) and (ii)
𝛾𝑃 𝛾𝑅𝑇
v= =
𝜌 𝑀
Since, 𝛾, M and R are constants for a given gas. So, the
velocity of sound in a gas is directly proportional to the
square root of absolute temperature. i.e. v ∝ 𝑻
If v1 and v2 are the velocities of sound in a gas at
temperatures T1 and T2 respectively.
v1 T1
Then, =
v2 T2
2) Effect of Density
𝛾𝑃
Since, v =
𝜌
Considering two gases having same value of 𝛾 and pressure (P)
but having different densities 𝜌1 and 𝜌2
𝛾𝑃
Then, v1 =
𝜌1
𝛾𝑃
And v2 =
𝜌2
v1 𝜌2
On dividing, we get =
v2 𝜌1
 1
Hence, v ∝ i.e. the velocity of sound in gas is
𝜌
inversely proportional to the square root of density.
3) Effect of Pressure
𝛾𝑃 𝛾𝑅𝑇
Since, v = =
𝜌 𝑀
Since, 𝛾, R and M are constants. If the temperature of
the gas is also constant then the velocity of sound in a
gas is independent of the pressure of the gas.
For example, if the temperature is constant, the
velocity of the sound at the Mt. Everest is same as that
at sea level.
4) Effect of Humidity or moisture
Since, the density of water vapour (moist air )is less
than the density of dry air i.e. 𝜌𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡 < 𝜌𝑑𝑟𝑦
Also, the velocity of sound is inversely proportional to
the square root of density. So, vmoist >vdry. Hence,
greater the humidity , higher is the velocity of sound in
gas and vice versa.

For example, sound travels faster in the air after rain

than in a dry day.
5) Effect of wind
If the wind blows in the direction in which sound is
travelling , the velocity of sound increases. If the wind
blows in opposite direction , the velocity of sound
decreases.
1. Why sound made at a distance can be heard
distinctly at night than in the day time?
Solution: This is due to refraction. See the answer in
previous chapter.
2. Is velocity of sound more in damp air or in dry air?
Explain.
Solution: As we know, the humidity affects the velocity
of sound. Velocity of sound is more in damp air than in
dry air. Since, the density of damp air is less than the
density of dry air. Also, the velocity of sound in air is
inversely proportional to the square root of density.
 1
i.e. v ∝
𝜌
Since, 𝜌damp < 𝜌𝑑𝑟𝑦
So, vdamp >vdry.

Hence, the velocity of sound is more in damp air than

that in dry air.
3. Why are sounds heard better on a wet day than on
a dry day?
Solution: Same as Q.N.2
4. Do sound waves need a medium to travel from one
point to other point in space? What properties of the
medium are relevant?
Solution: Yes, sound waves need a medium to travel
from one point to another. The particles of the medium
plays role to hand over the disturbance( energy) by
oscillating continuously.
Medium should possess following two properties to
travel mechanical waves.
(i) Elasticity (particles can return to their original
position)
(ii) Inertia (Particles can store energy)
5. Although the density of solids is high, the velocity of
sound is greater in solids. Explain.
Solution: Since, the sound wave is a longitudinal wave. The
velocity of longitudinal wave in solids is given as
𝐸
v= , where E is the elasticity of the medium and 𝜌
𝜌
is the density of the solid. Since, the density (𝜌) of the solids
is high, so the velocity should be least in solids. But it does
not so. Here,
𝐸
the velocity of the sound wave depends
𝐸
upon
the ratio not only upon the density. The ratio is much
𝜌 𝜌
greater for solids than the liquids and gases because of high
value of elasticity.
Hence, even if the density of solids is high, the velocity of
sound is greater in solids.
6. Explain why the velocity of sound in solids is
greater than that in gases, though the densities of
solids are greater than that of gases.
Solution: The velocity of sound in solids and in gases is
𝐸𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑
given by the relations vsolid =
𝜌𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑
𝐾𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝛾𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑠
and vgas = =
𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠
Where, 𝐸𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 and 𝐾𝑔𝑎𝑠 are the modulus of elasticity
and bulk modulus of elasticity of gas respectively. Here,
the velocity of sound in a medium not only depends
upon the density but also upon the elasticity.
Though the density of the solids is greater than the gases
but 𝐸𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 is very much greater than the 𝐾𝑔𝑎𝑠 . Hence, the
velocity of sound in solids is greater than in the gases.
Note: For example: 𝐸𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 = 2 x 1011N/m2
𝜌𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 = 7.8 x 103 kg/m3 For steel

𝛾 = 1.4
Pgas = 1.01 x 105 N/m2 For Nitrogen

𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 1.251 kg/m3

7. Velocity of sound increases on a cloudy day. Why?
Solution: On a cloudy day, the air is wet i.e. it contains
moisture in the air. Since, moist air is less dense than
the dry air and so…… ………… …………….. …….
………….. …………….. …………………………….
8. Sound travels faster in metal than in air, why?
Solution: Same as Q.N. 7
9. The speed of sound in humid air is more than that
in dry air, why?
Solution: Same as Q.N.2
10.The velocity of sound in solids is generally greater
than that in gas at STP, why? Give reason.
11. Velocity of sound in solids is more than that in
liquids, why?