What are sound waves GCSE physics?

Sound waves are longitudinal waves. They cause particles to vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel. The vibrations can travel through solids, liquids or gases. The speed of sound depends on the medium through which it is travelling.

What is sound and waves in physics?

In physics, the sound is defined as. A vibration that propagates as an audible wave of pressure, through a medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In psychology, the sound is defined as. The reception of sound pressure waves and their perception by the brain.

What is the wave equation GCSE physics?

The wave equation is: v = fλ, using the scientific symbols, or speed of the wave = frequency of the wave x wavelength of the wave in plain English. Before you use the equation it does help to know a little more about the three terms.

How do sound waves travel through air GCSE?

The air is made up of many tiny particles. When sound is created, the air particles vibrate and collide with each other, causing the vibrations to pass between air particles. The vibrating particles pass the sound through to a person’s ear and vibrate the ear drum. Light travels much faster than sound through air.

What are the types of sound waves?

So what type of wave is sound? Sound waves fall into three categories: longitudinal waves, mechanical waves, and pressure waves.

What are the three characteristic of sound?

The characteristics of sound are as follows:

  • Pitch.
  • Loudness.
  • Quality.

What are sound waves caused by?

When an object vibrates, it causes movement in surrounding air molecules. These molecules bump into the molecules close to them, causing them to vibrate as well. This makes them bump into more nearby air molecules. This “chain reaction” movement, called sound waves, keeps going until the molecules run out of energy.