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ABHIGYAAN CLASSES
(A premier institute for IIT-JEE/NEET/Class-IX-XII(pre-foundation & foundation)
C-1, Brij Enclave, BHU-DLW Road, Near Life Line Hospital, Varanasi-5
IX SOUND

21st Dec 24

(i) If a body in periodic motion moves along the

same path to and fro about a definite point
(equilibrium position), then the motion of the
body is a vibratory motion or oscillatory
motion
Note: Resultant force acting on the particle is
zero in equilibrium condition.
(ii) It is to be noted here that every oscillatory
motion is periodic but every periodic motion
is not oscillatory

Most of us have seen the formation of ripples

when a small stone (pebble) is dropped into a
pond. The disturbances created by the stone in
the water produces ripples which move outwards
towards the shore of the pond.
If you examine the motion of a leaf floating near
the disturbance for a short while on a steady day,
you would see that the leaf moves up and down
about its original position, but does not move
away or towards the source of disturbance. This
indicates that the disturbance (such as a water
wave) moves from one place to another, but the
water is not carried with it. The water particles
simply move up and down their mean positions.
The formation of ripples on the surface of water
is an example of wave motion.
(i) When a body repeats its motion continuously  Wave Motion : The movement of a
on a definite path in a definite interval of time disturbance produced in one part of a medium
then its motion is called periodic motion. to another involving the transfer of energy but
(ii) The constant interval of time after which the not the transfer of matter is called wave
motion is repeated is called the 'Time period motion.
of motion.' (T) Examples :
Example : Time period of hour hand is 12 (i) Formation of ripples on the water surface.
hours. (ii) Propagation of sound waves through air or
any other material medium.

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The main characteristics of wave motion medium through which speed of light (3 × 108
are described below : they travel. m/s) in vaccum. The
 In wave motion, the particles of the medium speed of an
vibrate about their mean positions. The electromagnetic wave
particles of the medium do not move from in any material
one place to another. medium is less than
 A wave motion travels at the same speed in that in vaccum.
all directions in the given medium. The speed 3. Mechanical waves are due (EMW) a
of a wave depends upon the nature of the to the vibrations of the electromagnetic
medium through which it travels. particles of the medium. waves are not due to
 During a wave motion, energy is transferred vibration of medium
from one point of the medium to another. particles
There is no transfer of matter through the 4. Mechanical waves may be Electromagnetic are
medium. longitudinal or transverse transverse waves.
waves.
5. Example : Sound waves, Examples : Light
water waves, string waves waves, radio and TV
(A) On the Bases of Necessity of Medium are mechanical waves. waves, and X-rays are
Required electromagnetic
 MECHANICAL WAVES :
The wave which propagates only in a material (B) On the Basis of mode of Vibration of the
medium are called elastic or mechanical waves. Particle
Example : Sound waves, Water waves (ripples),  TRANSVERSE WAVES
Waves on stretched strings, Earthquake waves A wave in which the particles of the medium
and the Shock waves produced by a supersonic oscillate about their mean position in a
aircraft are mechanical (or elastic) waves. direction perpendicular to the direction of
propagation of the wave is called a transverse
 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES :
wave.
Wave which do not require any material medium
for their propagation are called. electromagnetic Transverse waves can travel through solids
waves. and over the surface of liquids, but not
Example : Light waves, Radio waves, Television through gases.
waves, and X-rays are electromagnetic waves. Examples : Following are the examples of
Thus, Light waves, Radio and Television waves,
transverse waves :
and X-rays can also travel through vaccum.
(i) The water waves (ripples) produced on the
Difference between Mechanical waves & surface of water is transverse waves. In water
electromagnetic waves waves, the molecules of water move up and
down from their mean positions.
Mechanical waves Electromagnetic (ii) A pulse on a slinky when it is given a jerk is a
waves
transverse wave.
1. Mechanical waves need a Electromagnetic
material medium for their waves do not need (iii) All electromagnetic waves, e.g., light waves,
propagation. These waves any material medium radio waves etc., are transverse waves.
cannot travel through for their propagation. (iv) The waves produced in a stretched string
vacuum. These waves can when plucked are transverse waves. When a
travel through
string of sitar (a musical instrument) or guitar
vacuum.
2. Speed of mechanical (EMW) a is plucked, transverse waves are produced in
waves are low and depends electromagnetic the string.
upon the source and the waves travel with the
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 Graphical Representation :  Difference between Transverse &

Longitudinal Wave

(a) Crest : The highest point on the hump in a

transverse wave is called a crest. Thus, the
point of maximum positive displacement on a
transverse wave is called a crest.
(b) Trough : The lowest point on the depression
in a transverse wave is called a trough. Thus,
the point of maximum negative displacement
on a transverse wave is called a trough.
 LONGITUDINAL WAVES :
A wave in which the particle of the medium
oscillate (vibrate) to and fro about their mean
position in the direction of propagation of the
wave is called a longitudinal wave.
Longitudinal waves can be produced in any
medium, viz., in solids, liquids and in gases.
Example :
(i) Sound waves are longitudinal waves.  Wave Length : The distance between two
(ii) The waves produced in a spring (slinky) by nearest points in a wave which are in the
compressing a small portion of it and same phase of vibration is called the wave
releasing are longitudinal waves. length. In simple words it is the length of one
 Graphical Representation : complete wave. It is denoted by lambda, .

(a) Compression : The part of a longitudinal

wave in which the density of the particles of  Amplitude : The amplitude of a wave is the
the medium is higher than the normal density magnitude of maximum displacement of the
is called a compression. vibrating particles on the either side of their
(b) Rarefaction : The part of a longitudinal wave mean position. It is denoted by the letter A
in which the density of the particles of the and its SI unit is metre (m).
medium is lesser than the normal density is  Time-Period : The time required to produce
called a rarefaction. one complete wave (or cycle) is called time-
period of the wave.

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 Frequency : The frequency of an oscillating

particle is the number of oscillations completed = = 25 Hz
in one second. The unit of frequency is hertz (or Ex. 2 A source produce 50 crests and 50 troughs in
Hz). The frequency of the wave is 1\T. It is 0.5 second. Find the frequency.
generally represented by  (nu) Sol. 1 crest and 1 trough = 1 wave
 Wave Velocity : The distance travelled by  50 crests and 50 troughs = 50 waves
the wave in one second is called the wave
velocity. It is represented by 'v' and its unit is Now, Frequency,  =
ms–1.
 Phase : All the points on a wave which are in = = 100 Hz
the same state of vibration are said to be in
the same phase. Thus, in the wave shown in
fig. Ex. 3 Sound waves travel with a speed of 330 m/s.
What is the wavelength of sound waves
whose frequency is 550 Hz ?
Sol. Given velocity, v = 330 m/s,
Frequency,  = 550 Hz
 wavelength, = = = 0.6 m
(a) Points B, F and J are in the same phase – all
lie on the crests.
(b) Points D and H are in the same phase – both Ex. 4 The wave length of sound emitted by a source
lie on the troughs. is 1.7 × 10–2 m. Calculate frequency of the
(c) Points A, E and I are in the same phase. All sound, if its velocity is 343.4 ms–1.
these points are just about to start their Sol. The relation ship between velocity, frequency
vibration in the upward direction from their and wave length of a wave is given by the
mean positions. formula v =  × 
(d) Points C, G and K are in the same phase. All Here, velocity, v = 343.4 ms–1
these points are just about to start their frequency  = ?
vibration in the downward direction from and wavelength, = 1.7 × 10–2 m
their mean positions. So, putting these values in the above formula,
we get :
 RELATION BETWEEN WAVE 343.4 =  × 1.7 × 10–2
VELOCITY, FREQUENCY AND
WAVELENGTH FOR A PERIODIC =
WAVE.
= = 2.02 × 104 Hz
wave velocity = Thus, the frequency of sound is 2.02 × 104
hertz.
=
Ex. 5 A wave pulse on a string moves a distance of
or v= ...(1) 8m in 0.05 s.
(i) Calculate the velocity of the pulse.
(ii) What would be the wavelength of the wave on
since  = , equation (1) can also be written as the same string, if its frequency is 200 Hz ?
v =  ...(2) Sol. (i) Velocity of the wave,
wave velocity = Frequency × wave length v = = = 160
Ex. 1 If 50 waves are produced in 2 seconds, what m/s
is its frequency ? (ii) Periodic wave has the same velocity as that of
Sol. Frequency,  = the wave pulse on the same string.

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(iii) Now, frequency, n = 2 Hz

 Wavelength,  = = = 0.8 m
Wavelength, = 40cm = 0.4 m
Thus, the wavelength of the wave is 0.8 m.  Wave velocity, v = v= 200 × 0.4 m/s
= 80m/s
Ex. 6 A person has a hearing range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Ex. 9 A stone is dropped into a well 44.1 m deep.
What are the typical wavelengths of sound The sound of splash is heard 3.13 seconds
waves in air corresponding to these two after the stone is dropped. Calculate the
frequencies ? Take the speed of sound in air velocity of sound in air.
as 340 m/s. Sol. First we calculate the time taken by the stone
Sol. Given : v1 = 20 Hz, V = 340 m/s to reach the water level by using the relation:
 1 = = = 17 m s = ut + gt2

v2 = 20 kHz = 20,000 Hz, v = 340 m/s Here s = 44.1 m, u = 0, g = 9.8 m/s2

  = = = 1.7 × 10–2 m = 1.7cm  44.1 = 0 × t + × 9.8 × t2

 The typical wavelengths are 17 m and 1.7 cm. or t2 = =9

Ex. 7 A longitudinal wave is produced on a toy or t=3s

Time taken by the sound to reach the top of
string. The wave travels at a speed of 30 cm/s the well
and the frequency of the wave is 20 Hz. What t2 = 3.13 – 3 = 0.13 s
is the minimum separation between the Now, speed of sound
consecutive compressions of the string ?
Sol. Given, Velocity, v = 30 cm/s = = = 339.2
Frequency, v = 20 Hz
m/s
Minimum separation between the two
consecutive compressions is equal to one
wavelength and
 Sound is a form of energy that produces the
= = = 1.5 cm
sensation of hearing in our ears.
Ex.8 Wave of frequency 200 Hz produced in a Frequency range of audible sound for human
string is represented in figure. Find out the is between 20Hz to 20 KHz
following :  Sound need Material to Travel : You have
learnt in previous section that vibrations
produce sound. To produce vibrations, we
need a material body. Therefore, we can say
that a medium is needed for sound to travel.
Sound can travel through air (or gases),
liquids and solids, but not through vacuum.
(i) amplitude
 Speed of Sound : The speed of sound is the
(ii) wavelength
rate at which sound travels from the sound
(iii) wave velocity
producing body of our ears. The speed of
Sol.(i) Amplitude = Maximum displacement = 10
cm sound depends on the
(ii) Wavelength  = Distance between two
successive crests = 40 cm

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(i) Nature of Material (or medium) through

which it travels. Speed of sound in air is 344
m/s.
(ii) Temperature : As the temperature increases
the speed of sound in air increases.
(iii)Humidity of Air : Sound travel first in
humid air.
 The Time Gap between 'Seeing' and
'Hearing' is due to the difference between the  SOUND AS A LONGITUDINAL WAVE
time taken by the light and the sound to travel When a sound wave travels through the air, the
from the source to the observer. molecules in the air oscillate to and fro about
The speed of light high 3 × 10 8 meters per their mean positions in the direction of
second (30 crore metres per second) and the propagation of the sound wave. Therefore, Sound
speed of sound in the air under normal waves are called longitudinal waves.
conditions is 344 metres per second. So, the The sound waves propagate in any material
light travels almost instantaneously, whereas medium as a series of compressions or
sound takes some time. rarefactions.
 Sound Wave are Longitudinal Waves :
Sound travels through air in the form of  SOUND WAVE CAN BE STUDIED IN
longitudinal waves. TERMS OF PRESSURE AND
DENSITY WITH DISTANCE AND
TIME.
Pressure & density is high for the particle whose
amplitude is less, i.e. at compression state.
 Production of sound
Sound is produced when an object vibrates
(moves back and forth rapidly). In other word,
sound is produced by vibrations of objects.
(A) LOUDNESS
 Propagation of sound Loudness of a sound depends on the amplitude of
When an object vibrates (and makes sound), then the vibration producing that sound. Greater is the
the air layers around it also start vibrating in amplitude of vibration, louder is the sound
exactly in the same way and carry sound waves produced by it.
from the sound producing object to our ears.
Transmission of sound requires a material The loudness of a sound also depends on the
medium so it cannot travel through vacuum. quantity of air that is made to vibrate. Loudness
In laboratory a vibrating tuning fork is used for of sound is measured in decibel (dB) unit.
producing sound. During vibration, the prong of
the tuning fork moves from one extreme position
to another about its mean position (the position
when it is at rest).
Let us now see what happens in the air near a
vibrating prong of a tuning fork.

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A sound of single frequency (called pure sound) is

called a tone.
A tuning fork produces the sound of a single
frequency. The sound which is a mixture of
several frequencies is called an impure sound (or
note) is pleasant to listen.
Different instruments, depending on their shape
and size, produce different number of harmonics
of different relative loudness. As a result, the
sound produced by an instrument can be
distinguished from that produced by other
instruments.

(B) PITCH
The shrillness of a sound is called its pitch. The Sound waves like light waves also get
pitch of a sound depends upon its frequency. reflected from plane and spherical surfaces.
Higher the frequency of a sound, higher is its During reflection, sound waves obey the laws
pitch.
of reflections. The reflection of sound from a
The voice of a child or a woman has higher
frequency than the voice of a man. hard surface can be observed by performing a
 The faster is the vibration of the source simple experiment on the equipment as
object, higher is the frequency and therefore shown in fig.
higher is the pitch.
 Higher pitch of any sound corresponds to
larger number of compressions and
rarefactions passing a point per unit time.

Reflection of sound from a hard surface

 Sound waves have much longer wavelength
than the light waves. Therefore unlike light
The stretched membrane of a tabla or mridangam
waves, sound waves do not need smooth
produces sound of a higher frequency (or of
surfaces for suffering reflection. That is why,
higher pitch).
a brick wall, a wooden board, a row of trees,
(C) QUALITY
a hill etc. serve as the reflectors of sound
Quality of a sound is also called timbre. The
waves.
quality of sound is the characteristic which
 To have an appreciable reflection of sound
enable us to distinguish between the sounds
waves from any surface, it should have
produced by different sources.
dimensions equal or larger than the
The more pleasant sound is said to be of rich
wavelength of the sound waves falling on it.
quality.

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That is, a smaller object will not reflect the temperatures higher than 25ºC is more than
sound waves of larger wavelength. 17.2 m. In rooms having walls less than 17.2
m away from each other, no echo can be
 ECHO heard.
The sound returning back towards the source
after suffering reflection from a distance obstacle  REVERBERATION
The repeated reflection that results in the
(a wall, a row of building etc.) is called an echo.
persistence of sound in a large hall is called
When the sound is reflected repeatedly from a reverberation.
number of obstacles, more than one echoes,
called multiple echoes are heard. Multiple echoes
may be heard one after the other when sound gets
repeatedly reflected from distant high rise
buildings or hills. The rolling of thunder is an
example of multiple echo formation.

The two sounds–one direct and the other echo,

can be heard distinctly provided the distance
between the observer and the reflecting surface is
large enough to allow the reflected sound to Excessive reverberation in any auditorium/hall is
reach him without interfering with the direct not desirable because the sound becomes blurred
sound. Since the sensation of sound persists for and distorted. The reverberation can be
1/10 second after it is produced, the echo can be minimised/reduced by covering the ceiling and
heard distinctly only if it reaches at least 1/10 walls with sound absorbing materials, such as,
second after the original sound is produced. fiber-board, rough plaster, draperies, perforted
 Minimum distance between the observer cardboard sheets etc.
and the obstacle for echo to be heard :
 PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF
Let
MULTIPLE REFLECTION OF SOUND
Distance between the observer and the
Some simple devices based on multiple reflection
obstacle = d
of sound are,
Speed of sound (in the medium) = v
 Stethoscope
Time after which echo is heard = t
 Megaphone, Loudhailer, Horns
Then, t= or d =  Trumpet, Shehanais
 Curved ceiling of concert hall/conference
We know hall/cinema hall
Speed of sound in air at 25ºC = 343 ms–1  Soundboards
For an echo to be heard distinctly,
t 0.1 s Stethoscope : Stethoscope is a medical
diagnostic instrument based on multiple
Then d  reflection of sound waves. This is used by
or d 17.2 m doctors for listening to the sounds produced
Thus, the minimum distance (in air at 25ºC) inside the body, particularly in the heart or lungs.
between the observer and the obstacle for the
echo to be heard clearly should be 17.2 m.
The speed of sound increases with a rise in
temperature. Therefore, the minimum
distance in air between the observer and the
obstacle for an echo to be heard clearly at
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 Megaphone : Megaphone is a horn- The sound board prevents the spreading out
shaped tube. Megaphones are used for of the sound waves in different directions.
addressing a small group of people. Ex. 10 A girl hears the echo of his own voice from a
Speaking tube is a hollow tube– one end is
distance hill after 3 second. The speed of
the speaker's end, whereas the other one is the
sound in air is 340 m/s. What is the distance
listener's end.
In these devices, the sound waves suffer of the hill from the girl ?
reflection repeatedly and the energy of the Sol. Let d be the distance of the hill from the girl.
waves remains confined to the tube. The Total distance travelled by the sound in going
sound waves are prevented from spreading and coming back = 2d
Now,
out.
v= =

 340 =

It is for this very reason that loudspeakers  d = 510 m

also have horn-shaped opening.
 Ear Trumpet (or Hearing Aid) : Ear
trumpet or hearing aid is used by the persons
who are hard of hearing. The sound waves
(a) Audible Wave :
received by the wide end of the trumpet are
The human ear is sensitive to sound waves of
reflected into a much narrower area, leading it
to the ear. This increases amplitude of the frequency between 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This range
vibrating air inside the ear and helps in is known as audible range and these waves are
improving hearing. known as audible waves.
 Sound Boards and Curved Ceiling and Ex. Waves produced by vibrating sitar, guitar,
Walls in Large Halls : The arched ceiling organ pipes, flutes, shehnai etc.
and walls of large halls or auditorium often (b) Ultrasonic waves :
reflect the sound waves. These reflected A longitudinal wave whose frequency is above
sound waves interfere with the words of the the upper limit of audible range i.e. 20 kHz, is
speaker. This problem is solved by hanging called ultrasonic wave. It is generated by very
curtains, putting up screens or by using sound small sources.
boards. A sound board is often a concave Ex. Quartz crystal
rigid surface. The speaker is located at the (c) Infrasonic wave :
focus of the sound board placed behind the A longitudinal elastic wave whose frequency is
speaker. The sound board the reflected sound below the audible range i.e. 20 Hz, is called an
waves parallel. This enable the sound to reach infrasonic wave. It is generally generated by a
large distances. large source.
Ex. Earthquake.

 The sound waves having frequency higher than

20,000 Hz is called ultrasonic waves or
ultrasound. Human beings cannot hear
ultrasound. Dogs, bats and dolphins can hear
ultrasound. For example bats and dolphins can
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hear sound waves having frequencies of about can be detected and proper treatment could be
150,000 Hz. Bats and dolphins detect the prescribed.
presence of any obstacle by hearing the echo of This technology has been misused for
knowing the sex of the unborn baby. It has
the sound produced by them. been noticed that many people force the
Ultrasound finds many technological would-be mother to have an abortion if the
applications. unborn baby is identified to be a female baby.
Characteristics of Ultra Sound : This practice is unethical and a social crime.
Ultrasound (or ultrasonic waves) are found very Our Government has banned such practices.
We all should work together to eradicate this
useful due to the following reasons : social menace.
 Ultrasound (or ultrasonic) waves are high  In echocardiography : In this medical
frequency sound waves. So these waves have diagnostic technique, ultrasonic waves are
short wavelength. These short wavelength used to construct the image of the heart.
sound waves can be reflected back from the  For determining the depth of sea : Ships
smaller objects. Thus, ultrasound can detect use ultrasound to determine the depth of the
smaller objects (< 1 cm size). The sound sea by echo-sounding method. A transmitter
waves in the audible range cannot detect or on the ship sends ultrasound towards the sea-
bed and the receiver receives the echo. From
'see' objects smaller than having size ranging
the time gap between the two signals, the
from a few tens of centimeters to a few
depth of the sea can be estimated. This is
metres. illustrated below.
 Ultrasound beam is more directional and can  For clearing hard to reach places :
be aimed towards any target just like a torch. Ultrasonic waves are also used for clearing
These waves remain undeviated over long hard to reach places, such as spiral tube, odd
distances. shaped machine parts / components,
electronic components etc. The object to be
cleaned is kept in the 'cleaning solution' and
the solution is subjected to the ultrasonic
waves. The high frequency (ultrasonic)
waves stir up the dust / dirt particles. These
particles get detached and the object is
thoroughly cleaned.
Some important applications of ultrasound are  Bats fly in the darkness of night without
described below : colliding with other objects by the method of
 In ultrasonic spectacles for blind people : echolocation. Bats emit high frequency
Such a spectacle is fitted with a transmitter ultrasonic squeaks while flying and listen to
and a receiver. The receiver produces a high the echoes produced by the reflection of their
or low sound in the person's ear depending squeaks from the objects in their path. From
upon whether the object causing the echo is the time taken by the echo to be heard, bats
near or far. can judge the distance of the objects in their
 For medical use : Ultrasound is used to path and hence avoid it by changing the
detect any infirmity / deformity in the unborn direction. Bats search their prey at night by
baby (X-rays cannot be used for this purpose the method of echolocation.
because X-rays may harm the unborn baby).
In this method, an ultrasonic transmitter /
receiver is moved across the mother's
stomach. Different tissues (skin, muscles,
bones) reflect the sound waves differently to
produce many echoes. The machine uses
these echoes to construct a picture on the
screen. Any deformity / infirmity in the baby

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in the receiver part of the sonar device. The sonar

device measures the time taken by the ultrasonic
sound pulse to travel from the ship to the bottom
of the sea and back to the ship. Half of this time
gives the time taken by the ultrasonic to travel
from the ship to the bottom of the sea.
d = Depth of sea
v = Velocity of sound in sea water
t = time recorded by the recorder

SONAR :
The word 'SONAR' stands for Ex.11 The ultrasonic waves take 4 seconds to travel
Sound Navigation and Ranging. from the ship to the bottom of the sea and
(A) Principle of Sonar : Sonar is an apparatus back to the ship. What is the depth of the
which is used to find the depth of a sea or to sea ? (Speed of sound in water = 1500 m/s.)
locate the under water things like shoals of fish,
Sol. The time taken by the ultrasonic sound waves
enemy submarines etc. Sonar works by sending
short bursts of ultrasonic sound from a ship down to travel from the ship to the sea-bed and
into sea water and then gets echo produced by back to the ship is 4 seconds. So, the time
the reflection of ultrasonic sound from under- taken by the ultrasonic sound to travel from
water objects like bottom of sea, shoal of fish, a the ship to sea-bed will be half of this time,
submarine.
(B) Working of Sonar : which is seconds. This means that the

sound takes 2 seconds to travel from the ship

to the bottom of the sea

Now,

So,
And, Distance = 1500 × 2m = 3000m
Ex.12 A submarine emits a sonar pulse which
returns from the underwater cliff in 1.02 s. If
the speed of sound in salt water is 1531 ms –1,
(i) A transmitter (for emitting ultrasonic waves) how far away is the cliff ?
and (ii) a receiver (for detecting ultrasonic Sol. Given : Speed of sonar pulse, V = 1531 ms –1,
waves). Now suppose a sonar device is attached Time interval of return journey of the pulse,
to the under-side of a ship and we want to t = 1.02s
measure the depth of sea (below the ship). To do Let the distance of the underwater cliff be S.
this the transmitter of sonar is made to emit a For distance S of the cliff, the pulse travels a
pulse of ultrasonic sound with a very high total distance of 2S in return journey.
frequency of about 50,000 hertz. This pulse of From relation, distance = speed × time
ultrasonic sound travels down in the sea-water 2S = vt
towards the bottom of the sea. When the We have,
ultrasonic sound pulse strikes the bottom of the
sea, it is reflected back to the ship in the form of
an echo. This echo produces and electrical signal
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S = 780.8 m

 REASON FOR USING ULTRASONIC

WAVES IN SONAR
(i) Ultrasonic waves have a very high frequency
due to which they can penetrate deep in sea
water without being absorbed.
(ii) Ultra sonic waves cannot be confused with
the noise, such as the voice of engines of
ship. It is because the ultrasonic waves are
not perceived by human ear.

(a) Structure of human ear :

When a body moves with a speed which is
The ear consists of three compartments : outer
greater than the speed of sound in air, it is said to ear, middle ear and inner ear.
be travelling at supersonic speed jet fighters, The part of ear which we see outside the head is
bullets, etc, often travel at supersonic speed, and called outer ear. The outer ears consists of broad
when they do so, they produce a sharp, loud part called pinna and about 2 to 3 centimeters
sound called a sonic boom. long passage called ear canal. At the end of ear
The source moves at a speed greater than that of canal there is a thin, elastic and circular
sound, sound waves travelling at the speed of membrane called ear-drum. The ear-drum is also
sound, are left behind. The high-pressure layers called tympanum. The outer ear contains air. The
due to sound waves originating at different points middle ear contains three small and delicate bones
bunch together as shown in figure. Actually, called hammer, anvil and stirrup. These ear bones
these layers fall on the surface of an imaginary are linked to one another. One end of the bone
cone of which OA, OB is a part. The total called hammer is touching the ear-drum and its
pressure on the surface of this cone is very high. other end is connected to the second bone called
The source is at the apex of this cone. As the anvil. The other end of anvil is connected to the
source moves ahead, it drags the cone together third bone called stirrup and the free end of stirrup
with it. when the surface of the cone reaches a is held against the membrane over the oval
person, the ears experience a sudden increase in window of inner ear. The middle ear also contains
pressure. After the surface crosses him, the air. The lower part of middle ear has narrow tube
pressure is suddenly reduced. This causes the called 'eustachian tube' going to the throat.
person to hear a sharp, loud sound-the sonic Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to throats
boom. and ensures that the air pressure inside the middle
A region consisting of a very-high-pressure layer ear is the same as that on the outside
followed by a lower-pressure layer travels
through the space together with the cone. This is
called a shock wave. This shock wave gives rise
to the sonic boom when it reaches a person.
The shock waves produced by supersonic aircraft
have enough energy to shatter glass and even
damage weak structure.

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through the auditory canal. When the sound

waves strike the eardrum, (tympanic membrane) it
starts vibrating. These vibrations are passed on to
the oval window by three bones (called the
hammer, anvil and stirrup) which act as a lever
with the pivot at point P. They magnify the force
of the vibrations.
The oval window has a smaller area than the
eardrum. So, this increase pressure on the oval
window and on the liquid in the cochlea.
The vibrations of the liquid in the cochlea affect
The inner ear has a coiled tube called cochlea. thousands of auditory nerves which send message
One side of cochlea is connected to the middle ear to the brain.
through the elastic membrane over the oval Our ears are very delicate and fragile organs.
window. The cochlea is filled with a liquid. The Proper care must be taken to keep them in healthy
liquid present in cochlea contains nerve cells state.
which are sensitive to sound. The other side of Some suggestions to keep the ears healthy are
cochlea is connected to auditory nerve which goes given below :
into the brain.  Never insert any pointed object into the ear. It
can damage the eardrum and make a person
(b) Working of human ear : deaf.
Sound waves from outside are collected by the  Never shout loudly into someone's ear.
outer ear (called pinna) and reach the eardrum  Never hit anyone hard on his / her ear.

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ABHIGYAAN CLASSES
(A premier institute for IIT-JEE/NEET/Class-IX-XII(pre-foundation & foundation)
C-1, Brij Enclave, BHU-DLW Road, Near Life Line Hospital, Varanasi-5
IX SOUND
EXERCISE # 1
Q.12 Can two persons hear each other on moon ?
Explain with reason.
Q.13 A ship sends a signal and receives it back
Q.1 At what position the velocity of the bob of an from a submarine after 5s. Speed of sound in
oscillating simple pendulum is maximum and water is 1450 m/s. Calculate distance of
where is it minimum ? submarine from the ship.
Q.2 What is transferred by wave motion from one Q.14 What are ultrasonic waves and infrasonic
point to the other– matter or energy ? waves?
Q.3 What are the SI units of wavelength and Q.15 Explain working of a sonar.
frequency of a wave ?
Q.16 Explain industrial uses of ultrasonic waves.
Q.4 Define velocity of a wave.
Q.17 On what principle does a megaphone works?
Q.5 What is the separation between two
successive crests and troughs ? Q.18 What type of scans are used these days to see
the developing baby in the uterus ?
Q.6 What is the speed of electromagnetic waves?
Q.19 A worker lives at a distance of 1.32 km from
Q.7 A simple pendulum completes 20 oscillations the factory. If the speed of sound in air be 330
in 10 seconds. Calculate its time period. m/s, how much time will the sound of factory
siren take to reach the worker ?
Q.8 If the distance between the two extreme
positions of a simple pendulum is 3 cm, what Q.20 The flash of a gun is seen by man 3 seconds
is its amplitude ? before the sound is heard. Calculate the
distance of the gun from the man (speed of
Q.9 When a wire of sitar is plucked, what type of sound in air is 332 m/s).
waves are produced in (i) the wire and
(ii) air ? Q.21 State the general name of the waves in which
the particles of the medium vibrate :
Q.10 What is the relation between time period and (i) in the same direction as wave.
frequency. (ii) at right angles to the direction of wave.
Q.22 Calculate the wavelength of an ultrasonic
wave of frequency 105 Hz. The velocity of
Q.11 Why does the motion of a simple pendulum sound is 330 m/s.
stop?
Q.23 Two sound waves in air have wavelengths
ratio 1 : 3. Find their frequency ratio.
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Q.27 Define transverse waves and longitudinal

Q.24 The wavelength of a sound wave is 66 m. waves. State the main difference between
Calculate the frequency of the wave if the them.
velocity of sound is 330 m/s, would this
sound be audible to the human ear ? Q.28 What is sound ? What is the cause of every
Q.25 If the period of small ripples on water is 0.1 s sound ? Give some examples of sources
and their wavelength is 5 cm, what is the producing sound.
speed of the waves ?
Q.29 What do you mean by reflection of sound ?
Q.26 Longitudinal waves travel in a coiled spring at a Briefly explain some applications of
rate of 4 ms–1. The distance between two reflection of sound.
consecutive compressions is 20 cm. Find (i) the
wave length and (ii) frequency of the wave. Q.30 Define the following terms : wavelength, time
period, frequency and velocity of a wave.
.

EXERCISE # 2

Q.7 Nature of sound wave is–

Q.1 A sound wave travels from east to west, in (A) transverse (B) longitudinal
which direction do the particles of air move– (C) electromagnetic (D) seismve
(A) East-west (B) North-south
(C) Up and down (D) None of these Q.8 Pitch of high frequency sound is–
(A) high (B) low
Q.2 In which medium sound travels faster– (C) zero (D) infinite
(A) solid (B) liquid
(C) gas (D) none of these Q.9 Voice of a friend is recognised by its–
(A) pitch (B) quality
Q.3 What is the name of short duration wave– (C) intensity (D) velocity
(A) Pulse (B) Frequency
(C) Time period (D) Velocity Q.10 Sound waves in air are–
(A) longitudinal waves
Q.4 What is the velocity of sound in water at (B) Radio waves
room temperature– (C) Transverse waves
(A) 1500 m/s (B) 330 m/s (D) Electromagnetic waves
(C) 1500 km/s (D) 330 km/s
Q.11 Sound waves can not pass through–
Q.5 The unit of quantity on which pitch of the (A) A solid liquid mixture
sound depends is– (B) A liquid gas mixture
(A) Hertz (B) metre (C) An ideal gas
(D) A perfect vaccum
(C) metre/second (D) second
Q.12 A periodic wave is characterized by–
Q.6 The unit of quantity on which loudness of (A) Phase only (B) Wavelength only
sound depends is– (C) Frequency only (D) All the above
(A) metre (B) Hertz
(C) metre/second (D) second Q.13 The speed of sound is maximum in–

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(A) Air (B) Hydrogen

(C) Water (D) Iron Q.23 The equipment (device) used for locating the
position and distance of an object inside sea,
Q.14 When sound waves travelling in air enter into
using ultrasound is called–
the medium of water, the quantity which
remains unchanged is– (A) Pukar (B) Upkar
(A) Wavelength (B) Velocity (C) Radar (D) Sonar
(C) Frequency (D) None
Q.24 Human ear can hear–
Q.15 For the echo of the last syllable of the speech (A) audible sound (B) infra sound
to be heard the least distance of the reflector (C) ultra sound (D) all the above
must be (approximately)–
(A) 22 metre (B) 32 metre
(C) 110 metre (D) 340 metre Q.25 A sonar echo takes 4.4s to return from a
submarine. If the speed of sound in water is
Q.16 During summer, an echo is heard– 1500 ms–1, then the distance of submarine
(A) Sooner than during winter from the sonar is-
(B) Later than during winter (A) 1500 m (B) 3000 m
(C) After same time as in winter (C) 3300 m (D) 3600 m
(D) Rarely
Q.26 The eardrum is a–
Q.17 The velocity of sound in air at 30°C is (A) bone (B) coiled tube
approximately–
(C) stretched membrane (D) fluid
(A) 332 ms–1 (B) 350 ms–1
–1
(C) 530 ms (D) 332 kms–1
Q.27 The part of the ear, that is filled with a liquid
Q.18 With the rise of temperature, the velocity of is the –
sound– (A) cochlea (B) ear canal
(A) Decreases (C) anril (D) hammer
(B) Increases
(C) Remains the same Q.28 A fishing boat sonar detects a shoal of fish 190 m
(D) Is independent of temperature below it. How much time elapsed between
sending the ultra sonic signal which detected the
Q.19 Infrasonic frequency range is–
fish and receiving the signals echo ? (speed of
(A) below 20 Hz (B) 20 Hz to 20 kHz
sound in sea water is 1519 ms–1)–
(C) Above 20 kHz (D) No limit
(A) 0.25 s (B) 0.50 s
Q.20 Ultrasonic frequency range is– (C) 0.75 s (D) 1.0 s
(A) below 20 Hz (B) 20 Hz to 20 kHz
(C) Above 20 kHz (D) No limit
Q.21 The speed of sound in air at constant
temperature–
(A) Decreases with increase of pressure
(B) Increases with increase of pressure
(C) Remains the same with the increase in
pressure
(D) None of these

Q.22 The frequency of sound waves in water is –

(A) Same as that of frequency of source
(B) Less than frequency of source
(C) More than frequency of source
(D) None
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ANSWER KEY

EXERCISE-2

PHYSICS BY Er SANTOSH GUPTA B.Tech. NIT-Hamirpur

ABHIGYAAN CLASSES, C-1, Brij Enclave, Varanasi 9415732338 & 894 89 44999

D:\STUDY MATERIAL-VI-X\class-9\carrer point\Physics

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