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ICSE Class 10 · Physics · Chapter 7

Sound

3 topics · 15 questions

Smart summary

Everything you need, in order

Nature of Sound

  • Sound: A form of energy that produces the sensation of hearing. It is produced by vibrating objects.
  • Sound Waves: Longitudinal mechanical waves that require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel.
  • Characteristics: Compressions (high pressure regions) and rarefactions (low pressure regions).
  • Speed of Sound: Varies with medium and temperature. In air at 20°C, speed ≈ 343 m/s. Sound travels fastest in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases.

Properties of Sound Waves

  • Frequency (f): Number of vibrations per second. Unit: Hertz (Hz).
  • Wavelength (λ): Distance between two consecutive compressions or rarefactions. Unit: meter (m).
  • Amplitude: Maximum displacement from the mean position. Determines loudness.
  • Wave Equation: v = f × λ, where v is the speed of sound.
  • Pitch: Depends on frequency. Higher frequency = higher pitch.
  • Loudness: Depends on amplitude. Greater amplitude = louder sound.

Reflection of Sound

  • Echo: Reflection of sound heard after a time interval. Minimum distance for echo = 17 m (in air).
  • Reverberation: Persistence of sound due to multiple reflections.
  • Applications: Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging), ultrasound imaging, echolocation.

Formulas

Keep these ready

Formula 01

Wave Equation: v = f × λ

Relates speed, frequency, and wavelength of sound waves.

Formula 02

Distance for Echo: d = (v × t) / 2

Calculates distance to reflecting surface using time taken for echo.

Quiz

Test your knowledge

Multiple choice

  1. Question 1 of 10Knowledge
    Sound is a:
  2. Question 2 of 10Knowledge
    Sound cannot travel through:
  3. Question 3 of 10Knowledge
    The speed of sound is maximum in:
  4. Question 4 of 10Knowledge
    The pitch of sound depends on:
  5. Question 5 of 10Knowledge
    The loudness of sound depends on:
  6. Question 6 of 10Knowledge
    The minimum distance required to hear an echo in air is approximately:
  7. Question 7 of 10Knowledge
    SONAR uses:
  8. Question 8 of 10Knowledge
    The audible range of frequency for humans is:
  9. Question 9 of 10Knowledge
    Reverberation is caused by:
  10. Question 10 of 10Knowledge
    If the frequency of a sound wave is doubled, its wavelength:

Practice numericals

  1. Problem 1 of 5Application
  2. Problem 2 of 5Application
  3. Problem 3 of 5Application
  4. Problem 4 of 5Application
  5. Problem 5 of 5Application

0 of 15 answered