University of Auckland/Department of Physics/Physics 102/Sound Waves

Sound waves are characterized by the generic properties of waves, which are frequency, wavelength, period, amplitude, intensity, speed, and direction (sometimes speed and direction are combined as a velocity vector, or wavelength and direction are combined as a wave vector). Sound waves require a medium to travel through, like air or water. It is composed of longitudinal wave and here we talk of compressions and rarefactions (ie Mechanical Vibrations).

Speed of Sound
The speed of sound stays constant regardless of frequency or wavelength within a specific medium. The speed of sound does however vary depending on the medium it travels through. The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s.

Sound Spectrum
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Ultrasound_range_diagram.png

Infrasound
Frequency Range:

(Audible or Acoustic) Sound
Sound that is detectable by the normal healthy human ear.

Frequency Range:

Complex Sound waves
http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targets/images/scp/T050092A.gif

Complex sounds

Ultrasound
Frequency Range:

Sound Waves Simulation
sound (acoustic) simulation (java)

FYI
Heres a link thats like an online interactive textbook. Will answer any questions you might have..: http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/waves/wavestoc.html (dhic014)

A link to Harmonic motion waves, close ended and open ended: Harmonic Motion (Aand065)

A link to the Introduction of Physics of Sound: http://www.podcomplex.com/guide/physics.html  (amul050)

here is a link to understanding sound waves. shows how sound goes through different materials. easy to understand. http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Sound/speedinmaterials.htm (aiye004)

A link that has very useful notes on waves, eg: dropper effects, different types of wave( light, sound, electro magnetic ) etc.... http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/sound.htm

A link to Longitudinal and Transverse Wave Motion: http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html

Here is a link to help with fundamental frequency and harmonics: http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/Class/sound/u11l4d.html