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Physics
Chapter 11: Sound

2019
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Physics Chapter 12

Exercise of Short question

1. Why two tin cans with a string stretched between them could be better way to communicate than
merely shouting through the air?

When two tin cans are attached with a stretched string then the string becomes a medium that
transmit sound wave from one can to the other. String is a solid and it makes a batter medium of
transmitting sound wave rather than air. When we shout in air then air carries sound with low speed than a
stretched string.

2. We can recognize persons speaking with the same loudness from their voices, How is this possible?
We recognize two persons speaking with same loudness and pitch because of their sound quality.
Sound quality is the characteristic of sound waves defined as:
“The characteristic of sound by which two sounds of same loudness and pitch are distinguished from
each other”

3. You can listen to your friend round a corner, but you cannot watch him/her. Why?
The sound waves have larger wavelength than light waves. These are diffracted by the corner of wall
and light waves cannot do so, due to their very small wavelength (as compared with size of wall corner).
So, without seeing the friends his/her voice can be heard.
4. Why must the volume of stereo in a room with wall to wall carpet be tuned higher than in the
room with a wooden floor?
Wooden floor is more rigid than carpeted floor. Wooden floor reflects more sound waves and
reverberation occur, sound become too loud and garbled. On the other hand, carpet is more sound
absorptive, and reduces loudness. Therefore, volume of stereo must higher in carpeted room than a room
with a wooden floor.
5. A student says that the two terms speed and frequency of the wave refer to the same thing. What
is your response?
As we know that speed is defined as time rate of displacement, v=d/t and its unit is m/s And
Frequency is defined as number of vibrations completed in one second.
f=1/T
its unit is hertz, Therefore, both are different. They are related as:
v=ƒƛ
6. Two people are listening to the same music at the same distance. They disagree on its loudness.
Explain how this could happen.
The two persons listening to some same sound, sitting at same distance away from the source can
say that loudness is not same because the different human ears have different sensitivities.
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7. Is there any difference between echo and reflection of sound? Explain.

No there is no distinct difference between reflection of sound and echo. Both are defined as:
“The process, in which the sound waves are incident on the surface of a medium it bounces back
into the first medium, is called reflection of sound waves.”
We can hear every echo but we can’t hear each reflection of sound. so we can say that every echo is
reflection of sound , but every reflection of sound is not an echo.
8. Why ultrasound is useful in medical field?
In medical field, ultrasonic waves are used to diagnose and treat different ailments.
• Powerful ultrasound is now being used to remove blood clots formed in the arteries.
• Ultrasound can also be used to get the pictures of thyroid gland for diagnosis purposes.
• Germs and bacteria in liquids can also be destroyed by using high intensity ultrasonic waves.
Therefore, ultrasound is useful in medical field.
9. Describe the importance of acoustic protection ?
Acoustic protection is employed not only for physical health, but for psychological wellbeing as
well. A student's performance, employee productivity, and an individual's sleep/rest are all affected by
ambient noise and sounds.
10. What is effect of the medium on the speed of sound? In which medium sound travels faster: Air,
solid or liquid? Justify your answer
The distances between molecules in solids are very small, i.e., solids are more dense - as
compared to liquids and gases. Because they are so close, than can collide very quickly, i.e. it takes less
time for a molecule of the solid to 'bump' into its neighbor. Solids are packed together tighter than
liquids and gases, hence sound travels fastest in solids. The distances in liquids are shorter than in gases,
but longer than in solids. Liquids are more dense than gases, but less dense than solids, so sound travels
2nd fast in liquids. Gases are the slowest because they are the least dense: the molecules in gases are
very far apart, compared with solids and liquids.
11. We know that waves manifest phenomenon of reflection, refraction and diffraction. Does sound
also manifest these characteristics?
Yes, sound waves also manifest the characteristics like reflection, refraction and diffraction.
Echo is the practical example for the reflection of sound waves.
Listening of the person in other room is an example of diffraction of sound waves.
sound waves are known to refract when traveling over water, Subsequently, the direction of the wave
changes, refracting downwards towards the water.
12. What are the units of loudness? Why do we use logarithmic scale to describe the range of sound
intensities we hear ?
Sound loudness is generally expressed as dB. The dB scale is logarithmic because our sense of
hearing responds to loudness changes approximately logarithmically.
13. If we clap or speak in front of a building while standing at a particular distance, we rehear our
sound after sometimes . Can you explain how this happens ?
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It is due to there reflection of sound waves .After incident on the walls, they come back into the same
medium. That is why were hear the sound after sometime. It is called echo(Reflection of sound waves).

14. What is the difference between musical sound and noise ? (BISE LHR 2018,2015)
Musical sound Noise

Definition:
Such sounds which have pleasant
effects on our ears are known as musical sounds
Musical sound corresponds to vibrations that are
repeated after regular time interval
Example:
Pitched notes produced by flute, violin
and piano are included in musical sound
Definition:
Such sounds which have harmful or
unpleasant effect on our ears are called noise
Noise corresponds to irregular vibration produced
by some sound
Example:
Sounds such as slamming of door,
machinery and traffic jam in cities have jarring
effect on our ears

15. What is audible frequency range ? (BISE LHR 2018,2016,2014)

Definition :
The range of frequencies that human ear can hear is known as audible frequency range.
Below or above this age, human ear is unable to hear any sound. This frequency range varies with age as
it decreases with the age increasing. The older men audible frequency range lies between 20Hz to
15,000Hz
Range:
The range lies between 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Other example :
The audible frequency range for dogs is up to 35,000Hz and for cats, it has the highest
value of 25,000Hz
16. Define intensity of sound waves? (BISE LHR 2018,2017,2015)
Definition:
Sound energy passing per second through a unit area held perpendicular to the direction of
propagation sound waves is called intensity of sound waves
Dependence:
Sound intensity is a physical quantity and depends upon amplitude of vibration body
Unit:
The unit of intensity of sound is watt per square meter
17. Define the term pitch of sound waves ? what is the relation between pitch and frequency of sound
waves ? (BISE LHR 2018,2017,2015,2014)
Definition:
Pitch is defined as the characteristics of sound by which we can distinguish between a shrill
and grave sound.
Dependence:
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Pitch depends upon frequency. Women have higher frequency so they have higher pitch
and shrill voice while men voice have lower frequency and grave voice
Relation between pitch and frequency:
Pitch varies directly with the frequency, higher the frequency
of the vibrating body, higher would be the pitch and vice versa
18. Calculate the frequency of sound wave of speed 340m/s and wavelength 0.5 m. (BISE LHR
2018,2017,2015,2014)
Data:
v = 340m/s
λ = 0.5 m
To find:
f =?
Formula ;
v = fλ
Solution :
Since f= v/λ
By putting values
f = 340/0.5
f = 680 Hz
19. Name any two characteristics of sound waves (BISE LHR 2017)
Characteristics of sound waves:
Some of the characteristics of sound waves are as
1. Loudness of sound waves
2. Pitch of sound waves
3. Quality of sound waves

Two of them are briefly described as

Loudness of sound waves:

Such characteristics of sound waves by which we can distinguish between a

loud and faint sound is known as loudness of sound waves

Quality of sound waves:

Such characteristics of sound waves by two sound of same loudness and pitch
can be distinguished is known as quality of sound waves

20. Write two uses of ultrasound (BISE LHR 2017,2014,2011)

Uses of ultrasound:
Some of the uses of ultra-sounds are listed below
1. Powerful ultrasounds are now being used to remove blood clots formed in arteries
2. Ultra-sounds can be used to get the picture of thyroid gland for diagnosis purposes
3. Germs and bacteria can be destroyed by using high intensity ultrasonic waves
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21. Define quality of sound (BISE LHR 2016,2014)

Quality of sound waves:

Such characteristics of sound waves by two sound of same loudness and pitch can be

distinguished is known as quality of sound waves

Example:

While standing outside the room, we can distinguish between the notes of piano and guitar
played inside the room. This difference Is due to quality of these notes

22. What is meant by echo of sound waves ? (BISE LHR 2016)

Definition:
Echo is defined as the reflection of sound from a medium back into the first medium more
then one time
Condition:
For distinct echoes, the minimum distance of the obstacle from the source of sound must be
17m. Echoes may be heard more then once due to successive or multiple reflections
23. What is meant by SONAR ? (BISE LHR 2016)
SONAR:
The technique by which ultra-sounds are used to locate underwater depths or is used for
locating objects is called SONAR (sound navigation and ranging)
Method:
The sound waves are sent through a transmitter and a receiver collects the reflected sound. The
time lapse is noted, knowing the speed of sound in sea water, we can estimate the depth of sea

24. What is meant by loudness ? (BISE LHR 2016,2015)

Loudness of sound waves:
Such characteristics of sound waves by which we can distinguish between a
loud and faint sound is known as loudness of sound waves
Dependence:
Loudness of sound wave depends on the following factors
1. Amplitude of vibrating body
2. Area of vibrating body
3. Distance from vibrating body
25. What is stethoscope (BISE LHR 2016)
Stethoscope:
Stethoscope operates on the transmission of sound from chest-piece via air filled hollow tubes
sto the listener’s ears. The chest piece usually consist of a plastic disc called diaphragm, if the
diaphragm is placed on the patient’s body sound vibrates the diaphragm creating acoustic pressures
waves which after multiple reflections travel up the tubing to the doctor ears
26. Describe the factor on which safe level of sound depends? (BISE LHR 2014)
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Dependence:
There are two factors on which safe level of sound depends
1. The level of noise
2. The period of exposure to the noise

The level of noise recommended in most countries is usually 85-90 db over an eight hour per work day

27. How sound is produced? Give on e example (BISE LHR 2011)

Production:
Sound is produced by a vibrating body as illustrated by the following example
Example:
When we strike the tuning fork on the rubber pad, its prongs start vibrating. We can hear the
sound produced by it bringing near our ear

Preview of long questions from past papers

1. Write a note on characteristics of sound waves (BISE LHR 2017)

2. Describe briefly the l0oudness of sound and quality of sound (BISE LHR 2011)