Sound Production: Vibrations, Resonance, and Waves

How is Sound Produced? Through Vibration and Resonance

Vibrations: Sound is produced as a result of the vibration of a medium or object. Sound always occurs because of a vibration.

Resonance: Frequencies are called natural or characteristic frequencies of vibration that are exhibited when they are left swinging or vibrating. Resonance occurs when the system is forced periodically with a frequency (rhythm) that coincides with some of its natural frequencies. This increases energy.

Vibrational Motion: The motion made by a body occupying symmetrical positions successively to a position of equilibrium.

Fundamental Concepts of Motion

• Vibration: The path of a moving body in vibration from passing through a point in its path until it returns to the same point with the same sense of movement.
• Period: The time it takes a mobile to perform a vibration, measured in seconds.
• Frequency: The number of vibrations made by a mobile in one second. The unit of frequency is Hertz, corresponding to one vibration per second.
• Elongation: The distance between the vibrating body and the position of equilibrium, measured in meters or inches.
• Amplitude: The maximum distance between the vibrating body and the position of equilibrium. Another definition is maximum elongation.

Sound: Mechanical, Longitudinal, and Unidimensional Waves

Physical Component of Sound: Sound consists of waves propagating through a medium, which can be solid, liquid, or gas. Material particles that carry such waves vibrate in the direction of propagation of these waves.

Human Hearing Range: Up to 20,000 Hz

Animal Hearing Ranges:

• Dogs: Up to 30,000 cycles per second.
• Bats: Up to 100,000 cycles per second.

Mass Propagation of Sound

How Does Sound Reach Our Ears? Sound reaches our ears because the particles that make up the air vibrate and transmit their oscillation.

Speed of Sound

Sound travels in air at up to 331.3 meters per second and in water at 1450 m/s. It travels faster in water because the particles are closer together and spread the vibration more quickly.

Waves: Types and Characteristics

There are many types of waves, including those that produce treble and bass sounds. The space between one wave and the next is called the wavelength. The higher the frequency, the lower the length between waves at the same time. The height of the wave is called amplitude and determines the volume or sound level.

Pure Sound: Composed of waves that have a constant frequency and wavelength over time. Examples include a recorder or a whistle.

Sound Generators: Resonance is the phenomenon that produces waves within a volume of a certain size.

Qualities of Sound

• Intensity (Amplitude): Strong and weak
• Tone (Frequency): Bass and treble
• Timbre (e.g., Flute, Violin, Cello): Waveform present in every body

Tone or Pitch (Depends on Frequency)

Sounds can be bass or treble. Tone is related to frequency; the higher the frequency, the more acute or high the sound is. If the frequency is low, the tone is low or bass.