CHAPTER

2 Soun
Learning objectives
12.1 How
12.3 Ear: sound is produced
12.5 Organ of hearing 12.2 Propagation of sound
Characteristics
12.7 Noise pollution of sound waves 12.4 Amplitude, frequency and time
12.6 Audible and inaudible sOund periodof vibratr;
Sounds
are able plays
to
an
important with
role in our
Sound
the
is a
bark of aform
communicate,
of
energy. The
the help of daily life,
sound.
we Different types of musical
below. instruments are sho K
dog, the cry of a baby,
honking of cars and buses ticking of a clocK,
The are all drum beats, the
objects
sound. that examples of
produce sound is known as sound. Violin
Sitar
source of
Olympiad
Transter of
Bite
to another isenergy or
propagation
a very of enerqy from one String instruments
reqular point
happens through waves whichphenomenon
are of two
in nature. This Saxophone
Mechanical Waves and types.
waves Non-mechani cal waves.
propagate mechanical energy. Mechanical
waves (like
electrinomagnet
energy contained ic Non-mechanical
waves or light) Flute

non-mechanical in nature. propagate

electric and magnetic field which are Wind instruments
12.1 HOW
The energy of sound
SOUND IS PRODUCED
energy of a particle orwave comes from vibrational
system
verify it by touching sound of particles. We can Drum
Tabla
a riluging bell or producing
string of a sitar. objects like Percussion instruments
vibrations by touching them. In We can easily feel The cracking sound of
it is the all string
stretched string which produces instruments, vibration made in the layers lightning
of
is produced by
like air.
percussion instruments, it is stretched sound. In all a man, birds etc. produce sound withLiving beings
which produces sound membrane/skin vibrating
We beat upper end ofinstrument called
the help f
them to create vibrations.through
In a flute,vibrations. the wind pipe. vocal cord situated at the
by the vibration of air sound is produced the narrow slit of the When air is blown between
column.
Sitar and guitar are attached with a produce sound. In muscular cords, they vibrate and
big box called house flies, etc., manyisother living beings like bees,
sound box. They contain air which of their sound produced by the
string vibrates. In this way, they vibrates when the wings. Women have vibrations
reinforce the sound because of difference in the softer voice than men
created by string them. The vocal cords of length of vocal cords 1n
In women men are about 20 mm
138 mtG Olympiad PREP-GUIDE these are about 5 mm shorter. long
 Ilone
Moon lhan o
0 atmosphere. The
outer space)astronauts
00n (or walk n
who land
Ihrough talk to 0ne another
wireless Nets using radio waves. "This is
bÇCauNe radio waves can trave even
Thus, sound needs a through vacuum.
Cartilage medium
hear the chirping of birds, the to travel. We are
bark of a
able to
NOnd can travel through air. dog, all because
Similarly
Tavel through solids and liquids also. sound can
Cartilage dolphis and whales use sound waves to Mammals like
under waler over long
distances.
communicate
Trachea Sound travels fastest through
solids. l'or example,
speed of sound through stecl is much
Back view of larynx of a speed of sound through air. That is larger than the
Human of a train when it is why the arrival
several kilometers away can
22 PROPAGATION OF be known by
SOUND placing an ear on the rail track and
undisproduced by the listening.
back vibration
of an
object vibrates and
forth object.
in air, thenWhen
n
sof
olecules air close to this
object the Olympiad Bite
also starts vibrating
kandi forth with the same rate. Echo : An echo is simply a reflected sound.
olecules pass on their These vibrating air " The minimum distance
olecules.due to which energy
to the next between the source of sound
they also start layer of air and reflecting surface to hear an echo properly is
ndforth. This process goes on and vibrating back 17.2 m at 20 °C.
e air molecules around the
sound ultimately, all " Thetake minimum time, the reflected sound wave must
art vibrating back and forth. When the producing object to reach so that we can hear the original and
us
blecules reach our ears, we are able to vibrating air reflected sound as separate is 1
hear sound. 10
-und Needs a Medium to Travel
we already 12.3 EAR: ORGAN OF HEARING
discussed, sound waves travel
wibration of molecules of the medium, thusthroughSound is
sound body. created by a vibrating body or an oscillating
not propagate in the absence of these molecules i.e. Similarly, when sound waves fall on unbound
acuum. objects, it creates oscillations in them. This is the
ea bell jar and place an electric bell inside it as principle behind a sense organ (ear) which helps us
n in the figure. Now when we switch on the bell, in hearing different sounds.
re able to hear the sound of the bell. Now remove It consists of three parts,
air inside the bell jar with the help of a vacuum (i) External ear
p. After removing the air from the jar, switch on (ii) Middle ear
ell. Now we won't be able to hear the sound of the (iii) Internal ear.
Ssound cannot travel through vacuum. External ear is the outermost visible part of our ear.
Vacuum It consists of external funnel like structure called
Bell jar (No air)
No sound heard Pinna which collects the sound waves and forces
BELL them to enter a long tube like structure at the end of
present Sound is heard

EL which lies a muscular membrane-like structure called

Eardrum. It vibrates on receiving the sound waves.
It is attached to three closely linked delicate bones
Pump plate To vacuum pump
called hammer, anvil and stirrup which is a part
(To remove air)
-ir present in bell (b) Vacuum in bell jar : of middle ear. The inner ear has a coiled tube called
und of bell heard Sound of bell is not heard cochlea. An oval window connects the middle ear
Class-8| Science 139
 to the int
inner car. The car canal and fal)
liquid presenttoin cochleacohlea consistnerveof a liquid. The then pass through the
are drum. When sound
wavesstrikes
the eardr \he ear
{o sensilive sound. contains ells which
cochlca which CONnets Auditory neves COnnected starts vibrating. Now the vibrating ear
middle year to drum um, n
Eartubc
it to the
Ibrain
Imnct eat
the thrce bones in the
vibration is passed
cause
on to cochlea through.vibrate. Th
oval
lnterloked bones( The vibrating cochlea sets
up an
electrical windm
Pnna
Organ of heating
AuditoV Derve
that are carried to
the

OlympiadBite
brain by auditory
\mpule
nerves.
Iardum
Outer cat The lower part of middle ear has a narrow tube
Middlc car 'eustachian tube' goingto the throat, it connects the (alen
inside idthale
rm
The sound waves
ear to throat and ensures that the air pressure
bodv are collectedcoming
by the
from the sound
producing middle ear is the same as that on the outside
pinna. These sound waves
SELF TEST -
1.
1
What kind of motion (D) Anvil
(A) Rotational motion produces sound in an1object? (C) Hammer
(B) To and fro motion 4. Sound cannot travel through
(C)
Translational motion
Circular (D) (B) Solid
Human beings can produce soundmotion
2. (A) Gas
due to the (C) Liquid (D) Wacuum
vibrations of the
(A) Windpipe 5 The instruments which produce sound due to the
(C) Vocal cords (B) Voice box vibration of stretched string
3.
(D) Larynx (A) Drum, Tabla, Mridangam
In
human ear, the part of
when hit by sound waves is outer ear that vibrates (B) Flute, Shehnai, Bag pipe
(A) Ear drum (C Sitar, guitar, Ektara
(B) Pinna (D) Shehnai, Mridangam, Tabla
12.4 AMPLITUDE,
PERIOD OF VIBRATION
FREQUENCY AND TIME
Olympiad Bite
Amplitude : The maximum displacement of avibrating
bËect from its central Wavelength : As we know, sound wave produces a
or mean
nplitude of vibrations. It is theposition
is called as the series of compression and rarefaction in the medium in
half of the distances which it travels. The distance between any two
compressions or any two rarefaction is known as consecutive
etween the two extreme points
ject vibrates. Amplitude of a between which the It is represented by 2 (lambda) andits unit of wavelength.
vibrating object is
easured in metre. For example, the roar of a measurement
is metre. It is actually the distance
ing a higher amplitude than the sound of alion is during one vibration.
travelled by sound wave
bird.
quency : The number of vibrations (or cycles)
Huced in one second is called
frequency of the wave. wavelength
equal to rate at which vibrating object vibrates. It
noted by the letter v. The frequency of
nale voice is higher than male voice. vibration Line of normal

ency of vibration of sound, produced by Similarly, density

honey wavelength
higher than that produced by elephant, though,
nt's voice has larger amplitude. If we pluck a " |If nnumber of
vibration
second then distance travelled
of sound is
produced per
ed long and a short wire
in the former case, sound
separately to create Distance
one second will be nà So,
produced will have Velocity =Time taken
quency. The unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz).
tG Olympiad PREP-GUIDE
 lo he
liquid innct car Ihe
are present in cohlea consist of a liquid he
lo sensitive lo cochlea then pass through the ear canal and
cohlea whihsOund Audicontains nerve ells which drum, When sound waves strikes the (all on the
itowY neves
Iartube onnecis connected
lo he
are

Innet catvan
slarts vibrating. Now the vibrating car
the three bones in the middle ycar t0 drum cardrum
Inter ked bones vibrationis passcd on to cochlea through
The vibraling cochlca sets up an 0val Cale hn vb rale,
audiclteoctryricalnerve,inwmipndumbe
Organ of heating that are carricd to the brain by
Pinna
Auditory nerve
Eardrunn OlympiadBite
Duter car Middle car The lower part of middle ear has a
The narrOW
'eustachian tube' going to the throat, it connects, ube
body sound
are waves coming from the sound the r ncalidleeg
collected by the
producing
pinna, These sound
ear to throat and ensures that the air
pressure
middle ear is the same as that on the outside inside the
1.
SELF TEST -1 waves
What kind of motion
Rotational motion produces
i (A)
sound in an object?
(B) To and fro
(C) Hammer (D) Anvil
(C)
2. Translational
Human
motion (D) Circular motion
motion
4. Sound cannot travel through
(A) Gas
beings can produce sound
vibrations of the
(B) Solid
due to the (C) Liquid (D) Nacuum
i (A) Windpipe 5.
(B) Voice box Theinstruments which produce sound due to tk
(C) Vocal cords vibration of stretched string
3.
In human ear,
(D) Larynx
(A) Drum, Tabla, Mridangam
when hit by sound the part of outer ear that vibrates (B) Flute, Shehnai, Bag pipe
(A) Ear drum waves is
(B) Pinna
(Y Sitar, guitar, Ektara
(D) Shehnai, Mridangam, Tabla
12.4
AMPLITUDE,
FREQUENCY AND TIME
PERIOD OF VIBRATION
Amplitude: The Olympiad Bite
object from its maximum displacement of a vibrating
central or mean position is called Wavelength : As we know, Sound wave produces a
amplitude of vibrations. It is the half of the as the series of compression and
between the two extreme points distances which it travels. The distance rarefaction in the medium in
between which the between any two consecutive
object vibrates. Amplitude of vibrating object is compressions or any two raretaction is
known as wavelength.
measured in metre. For example,a the It is represented by
(lambda) and its unit of
measurement
having a higher amplitude than the roar of a lion is is metre. It is actualy the
distance travelled by sound wave
sound of a bird. during one vibration.
Frequency : The number of vibrations (or cycles)
produced in one second is called
It is equal to rate at frequency of the wave.
which vibrating object vibrates. It
wavelength
is denoted by the
letter v. The frequency of
of female vojce is higher vibration
than male voice. Similarly, Line of normal
frequency of vibration of sound, produced by honey density
bee, is higher than that
produced by wavelength
elephant's voice has larger amplitude.elephant, though, " If nnumber of
stretched long and a short wire separatelywetopluck a second then distance vibration
If of sound is
travelled in one produced per
sound, in the former case, sound create second will be nà So,
produced will have Velocity Distance
low frequency. The unit of frequency is Hertz Time taken
(Hz).
140 mtG Olympiad PREP-GUIDE
 lhe loudness of a sond depends on the amplitude ol
sound. Loudness
maion of the soufce produingthe
of sound
Is propolonal to squate of the ampltude
tiavels trom one medum to anothe, its Ie, he amplitude of vilbatioo inreases hy a lactor
changes Ihs change n velouty is due to change o Iwo, then the loudness inreanes by afactor of four
NneenothThe trequency of sound remains unchanged decihel written
IIhe loulness of ouDd is meaured in
itdexends onthe soutce only. For example, the as dB.
ofsoundin water becomes 4.5 times that in air. The loudness of
wavelength too increases 4.5 times in The breathing sound of human has
water. 10 dB.
dB.
period of vibration : lhe (ime taken by a Asoft whisper has loudness of 30
ttocomplete one oscillation or vibration Normal conversation has loudness of 60 dB.
as its tine period. It is denoted by the letter
Above 80 dB loudness level becomes painful to
Slunit is second (s). Tìme-period is related
yucT ds tollow
Pitch
Tne period= or T= which we
Frequency Pitch is that characteristic of sound by
sound of the same
can distinguish bet ween di ferent
a
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND WAVES loudness. For example, we can distinguish between
dhas some characteristic properties by which man's voice and woman's voice even without seeing
a woman's
bee recognized. These are loudness, pitch and them. This is because the man's voice and
voice
voice differ in their pitch (or shrillness). A man's
voice is
is flat, having low pitch whereas a woman's
dness shrill, having a high pitch.
ds are produced by vibrating objects. If less The pitch of a sound depends on the frequency of
ris supplied to an object by hitting it lightly vibration of the sound producing object. In fact,
stretching it lightly), then the object vibrates the pitch of a sound is directly proportional to its
smaller amplitude and produces afaint sound frequency. Higher the frequency of vibrating body,
-hle sound) as shown in figure (a). higher is the pitch of the sound produced.
eother hand, if more energy is supplied to
Quality of Sound
ect by hitting it strongly (or by stretching it
iv), then the object wll vibrate with a greater The sound of a sitar and a guitar may be equal in
ude and produce a louder sound as shown in amplitude and frequency but we can still identify
(b). the source of sound by listening. So there is a third
characteristics of sound which makes them different. It
Vibrating Small
string amplitude
is called quality of sound. Quality is that characteristic
of sound which enables us to distinguish between the
sounds produced by different sound producing objects
String at rest
even if they are of same loudness and pitch.
mall amplitude of vibration : Faint sound
Olympiad Bite
Vibrating Large " The speed of sound in air is about 344 m/s at 22 °C
string amplitude
and 330 m/s at 20 °C and the speed of light in air is
300,000,000 m/s.
" Light travels much faster than sound. Due to this, the
String at rest flash of lightning is seen first and the sound of thunder is
heard a little later.
rge amplitude of vibration : Loud sound

Class-8| Science 141

 SELF TEST - 2
I. A
causc theviolin
pith slring is
of he made lo vibale What
(A) sound to rise? (C) Bat
(B) Inreasing the lengh
would (D) A are having some pitch.
(C) Derasing the length otof suing 4.) Asource is producing sound wavcs in
Inreasing
(D) Nonc of the
the
thikness
above olstring
string
temperaturc of air is reduced, which of
the
fol wig
2 parameters will change?
\Nhih of the
loudness of sound? following is for unit of (A) Frequency (B) Wavelength
(D) Both (B) and
(C) Velocity
(A) Hertz
(C Dcibcl ncasurinB 5 Atuning fork, a violin string and a
(C
3.
\Whose
(B) Pascal
(D) Joule/second
(A) Man voice will have greater
(B) Woman pitch?
are producing sound. Which one
amplitude?
(A) Tuning fork
(B) Violin string
will have
loudmaspxeiamkuerrn
( Loudspeaker
(D) Allhave same amplitude.
12.6
Sound
AUDIBLE AND INAUDIBLE
produced in our SOUND They are usused in the diagnosis of
trequencies.
A All vibrating
simple pendulum
environment
objects
has different
produce sound.
internal organs.
They are used to measure the depth of
diseases of
undergoing
mountsea-aibneds,
produce sound. explore the sea-bed for minerals.
hear this
But
sometimes we oscillation
are
sound. This is because of
also
not able to colonies of fishes.

can only hear human being They are used in locating cracks or
sounds having a particular
frequencies. We can only listen to soundrange internal parts of machine without defects in the
isfrequency between 20 Hz
of
having Noise and Music dismantling them.
called audible range of and 20,000 Hz. This We are fond of listening to music. It has
20,000 Hz is called sound. Sound beyond soothing
is called ultrasound and that below 20 Hz on us. The sounds which are pleasant to
hear are effect
called
infrasound. Dogs, cats etc. can listen both musical sounds (or music). The unpleasant sounds
ultrasound and infrasound.
Ultrasound is used by
around us are called noise. Though both
of them
mammals such as bats and dolphins for are audible sound, we respond to them
differently
Bats emnit high frequency echolocation. Even a musical sound becomes unpleasant when thei
ultrasound
listen the echo produced by the while flying and
wave from its prey. Using this reflection of sound loudness is increased by a large amount using amplifher.
its prey.
method, bats locates 12.7 NOISE POLLUTION
One of the most adverse side-effects of
modernisation
of our life-style is rise in noise pollution. The presence
of excessive or unwanted sound in the
environment
is called noise pollution. The honking of vehicles on
the road, the noisy industrial units, the high volume
Echo sound of musical concerts all greet us on daily basis.
Excessive noise in ur surrounding has affected us
Ultrasonic adversely both physically and mentally. Lack of sleep,
Bat squeak Prey hypertension, anxiety deafness, headache etc. are the
(Flying insect) common after effects of noise pollution.
frasound is produced by animals like whales, Some of the important steps that we may take to
reduce
ephants, rhinos, etc. noise pollution are as follows :
lowing are some of the uses of ultrasound. Industrial units should be constructed away trom
residential areas.
2 mtG Olympiad PREP-GUIDE