What is Sound wave: Definition and 204 Discussions

In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid.
In human physiology and psychology, sound is the reception of such waves and their perception by the brain. Only acoustic waves that have frequencies lying between about 20 Hz and 20 kHz, the audio frequency range, elicit an auditory percept in humans. In air at atmospheric pressure, these represent sound waves with wavelengths of 17 meters (56 ft) to 1.7 centimetres (0.67 in). Sound waves above 20 kHz are known as ultrasound and are not audible to humans. Sound waves below 20 Hz are known as infrasound. Different animal species have varying hearing ranges.

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  1. wasteofo2

    Why does sound wave frequency not decrease over distance?

    I've been reading about the physics of sound. Perhaps I'm just reading an overly simplified version of the truth, but it would seem to me that as the particles of the medium sound is traveling through compress and expand, inevitably bumping into each other, that they would loose some kinetic...
  2. denian

    Displacement and pressure in sound wave

    there is one formula given as follow (max pressure ) = (speed of wave)X(density of medium)X(angular frequency of the wave ) X (maximum displacement) in the book, there is no working shown how to arrive to this formula. anyone can show me the steps? thank you. (sorry, i don't know how...
  3. B

    Solving a Sound Wave Problem: Distance to Target

    Banana states: I need help setting this problem up: A person fires a rifle horizontally. The bullet has a muzzel speed of 200 m/s, and the person hears the bullet strike the target 1 second after firing. The air temp is 72 degrees Farenheit. What is the distance of the target? (I know to...
  4. J

    How can I solve light and sound wave problems?

    [SOLVED] Light and Sound wave problems PLEASE HELP! I have a few questions that I need assistance understanding and solving. I would greatly appreciate any help provided to me. 1. A musical instrument is invented that consists of a can with length L and diameter L/6. The top of the can...
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