Characteristics of a sound wave

Characteristics of a sound wave

A sound wave can be described completely by five characteristics namely amplitude, frequency, time period, wavelength and velocity or speed.

Amplitude (A)

The maximum displacement of the particles of the medium from their original undisturbed positions, when a wave passes through the medium is called amplitude of the wave. If the vibration of a particle has large amplitude, the sound will be loud and if the vibration has small amplitude, the sound will be soft. Amplitude is denoted as A. Its SI unit is meter (m).

Frequency (n)

The number of vibrations (complete waves or cycles) produced in one second is called frequency of the wave. It is denoted as n. The SI unit of frequency is s^–1 (or) hertz (Hz). Human ear can hear sound of frequency from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Sound with frequency less than 20 Hz is called infrasonic sound. Sound with frequency greater than 20,000 Hz is called ultrasonic sound. Human beings cannot hear infrasonic and ultrasonic sounds.

Time period (T)

The time required to produce one complete vibration (wave or cycle) is called time period of the wave. It is denoted as T. The SI unit of time period is second (s). Frequency and time period are reciprocal to each other.

Wavelength (λ)

The minimum distance in which a sound wave repeats itself is called its wavelength. In a sound wave, the distance between the centers of two consecutive compressions or two consecutive rarefactions is also called wavelength. The wavelength is usually denoted as λ (Greek letter lambda). The SI unit of wavelength is metre (m).

Velocity or speed (v)

The distance travelled by the sound wave in one second is called velocity of the sound. The SI unit of velocity of sound is m s^–1.