SOUND WAVES WHAT DOES THE GRAPH TELL US? Michael Smythies 19. February 2015
What is a sound wave?
• Mechanical waves are made by vibrating objects which disrupt surrounding particles into vibrational motion transporting energy through a medium such as water or air
• Longitudinal waves compress and extend in the direction of net movement
• Series of rarefactions and compressions that create high and low pressure zones
S(x,t)= smcos(kx-ωt+Φ)
Sm: Maximum displacement K: Wave number, k=2π/λω: Angular frequency, ω=2πfΦ: Phase constant
V=fλ=ω/kV: speed of sound wave F: Frequency λ: Wavelength
Equations:
Amplitude
Amplitude is the maximum distance the wave travels from the equilibrium position or distance of wave compression.
Ampl
itude
Velocity: V=fλ=ω/k
The speed of sound at sea level and at 20° C is 344 m/s. To calculate the velocity of a wave, you multiply the wavelength by the frequency.
Works Cited
• http://s3.amazonaws.com/answer-board-image/6b095f74-0b86-41a0-bdfe-6e7c8b261b79.jpeg
• http://dev.physicslab.org/img/171e5d67-e346-43a6-b57b-d297393879c5.gif