Characteristics of a Sound Wave

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 113 views

Introduction

Sound waves are a fundamental aspect of physics, and understanding their characteristics is crucial for various applications in music, acoustics, and even medical fields. A sound wave generated by a musical note has distinct properties that can be observed and measured. In this article, we will delve into the characteristics of a sound wave and identify the missing value in a given table.

Characteristics of a Sound Wave

A sound wave is a type of mechanical wave that propagates through a medium, such as air, water, or solids. The characteristics of a sound wave are determined by the properties of the medium and the frequency of the sound wave. The key characteristics of a sound wave include:

Frequency: The number of oscillations or cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the sound wave, measured in meters (m).
Amplitude: The maximum displacement of the sound wave from its equilibrium position, measured in meters (m).
Speed: The rate at which the sound wave propagates through the medium, measured in meters per second (m/s).
Period: The time taken for one complete oscillation or cycle of the sound wave, measured in seconds (s).

Table of Characteristics

The following table presents the characteristics of a sound wave generated by a musical note:

Medium	Wave Speed (m/s)	Wavelength (m)	Amplitude (m)	Period (s)
Air	343	1.5	0.01	0.002
Water	1480	0.5	0.01	0.001
Steel	5120	0.2	0.01	0.0005

Identifying the Missing Value

The table presents the characteristics of a sound wave in different mediums. However, one value is missing. To identify the missing value, we need to analyze the relationship between the characteristics of the sound wave.

Relationship Between Characteristics

The speed of a sound wave is determined by the properties of the medium and the frequency of the sound wave. The speed of a sound wave in a given medium can be calculated using the following formula:

Speed = Frequency x Wavelength

Using this formula, we can calculate the speed of the sound wave in each medium.

Calculating the Speed of the Sound Wave

Let's calculate the speed of the sound wave in each medium:

Air: Frequency = 100 Hz, Wavelength = 1.5 m Speed = 100 Hz x 1.5 m = 150 m/s
Water: Frequency = 100 Hz, Wavelength = 0.5 m Speed = 100 Hz x 0.5 m = 50 m/s
Steel: Frequency = 100 Hz, Wavelength = 0.2 m Speed = 100 Hz x 0.2 m = 20 m/s

Identifying the Missing Value

The missing value in the table is the wave speed in air. However, we have calculated the speed of the sound wave in air using the formula Speed = Frequency x Wavelength. The calculated speed is 150 m/s, which is not present in the table.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the missing value in the table is the wave speed in air, which is 150 m/s. This value can be calculated using the formula Speed = Frequency x Wavelength. Understanding the characteristics of a sound wave is crucial for various applications in music, acoustics, and even medical fields. By analyzing the relationship between the characteristics of the sound wave, we can identify the missing value and gain a deeper understanding of the physics behind sound waves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the speed of a sound wave in air? The speed of a sound wave in air is 343 m/s.
What is the wavelength of a sound wave in water? The wavelength of a sound wave in water is 0.5 m.
What is the amplitude of a sound wave in steel? The amplitude of a sound wave in steel is 0.01 m.

References

Physics Classroom: Sound Waves
Wikipedia: Sound
HyperPhysics: Sound Waves

Introduction

Characteristics of a Sound Wave

Frequency: The number of oscillations or cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the sound wave, measured in meters (m).
Amplitude: The maximum displacement of the sound wave from its equilibrium position, measured in meters (m).
Speed: The rate at which the sound wave propagates through the medium, measured in meters per second (m/s).
Period: The time taken for one complete oscillation or cycle of the sound wave, measured in seconds (s).

Table of Characteristics

The following table presents the characteristics of a sound wave generated by a musical note:

Medium	Wave Speed (m/s)	Wavelength (m)	Amplitude (m)	Period (s)
Air	343	1.5	0.01	0.002
Water	1480	0.5	0.01	0.001
Steel	5120	0.2	0.01	0.0005

Identifying the Missing Value

Relationship Between Characteristics

The speed of a sound wave is determined by the properties of the medium and the frequency of the sound wave. The speed of a sound wave in a given medium can be calculated using the following formula:

Speed = Frequency x Wavelength

Using this formula, we can calculate the speed of the sound wave in each medium.

Calculating the Speed of the Sound Wave

Let's calculate the speed of the sound wave in each medium:

Air: Frequency = 100 Hz, Wavelength = 1.5 m Speed = 100 Hz x 1.5 m = 150 m/s
Water: Frequency = 100 Hz, Wavelength = 0.5 m Speed = 100 Hz x 0.5 m = 50 m/s
Steel: Frequency = 100 Hz, Wavelength = 0.2 m Speed = 100 Hz x 0.2 m = 20 m/s

Identifying the Missing Value

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the speed of a sound wave in air?

A: The speed of a sound wave in air is 343 m/s.

Q: What is the wavelength of a sound wave in water?

A: The wavelength of a sound wave in water is 0.5 m.

Q: What is the amplitude of a sound wave in steel?

A: The amplitude of a sound wave in steel is 0.01 m.

Q: How is the speed of a sound wave calculated?

A: The speed of a sound wave is calculated using the formula Speed = Frequency x Wavelength.

Q: What is the period of a sound wave in air?

A: The period of a sound wave in air is 0.002 s.

Q: What is the frequency of a sound wave in steel?

A: The frequency of a sound wave in steel is 100 Hz.

Q: What is the relationship between the characteristics of a sound wave?

A: The characteristics of a sound wave are related by the formula Speed = Frequency x Wavelength.

Additional Resources

Physics Classroom: Sound Waves
Wikipedia: Sound
HyperPhysics: Sound Waves

Conclusion

Understanding the characteristics of a sound wave is crucial for various applications in music, acoustics, and even medical fields. By analyzing the relationship between the characteristics of the sound wave, we can identify the missing value and gain a deeper understanding of the physics behind sound waves.