Sound Notes - X Page | 1

(We Promise Success)

Q1) What is sound ? position after transmitting energy to the

Ans) Sound is a form of energy which causes a next particle.
sensation of hearing. (ii) Medium should have inertia so that the
Q2) What is the audibility range for a human particles can store energy before
being ? transmitting it.
Ans) 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (iii) Medium should be frictionless so that
Q3) Why can’t you hear an oscillating pendulum? there is no loss of energy when

LS
Ans) We cannot hear an oscillating pendulum propagation takes place.
because it produces infra-sonics (a Q7) Differentiate between transverse and
frequency less than 20 Hz) which humans longitudinal waves.
can’t hear as it vibrates with a frequency less S.No Transverse Waves

IA
than 20 Hz. 1. Travel in the form of Crests and Troughs
Q4) Why can’t you hear an oscillating seconds 2. Travel in solids and surface of liquids
pendulum ? 3. There is no pressure and density variation

R
Ans) A seconds pendulum is one which has a time 4. The particles vibrate perpendicular to the
period of 2 seconds. So its frequency is only direction of propagation
TO
0.5 Hz which is less than 20 Hz. So it 5. Can be polarized
produces infrasonic which we cannot hear.
Q5) Give the characteristics of wave motion. Crest
Ans) The characteristics of wave motion are 6.
TU

Trough
(i) A wave is produced by the periodic
disturbance of particles about their mean
position. Longitudinal Waves
(ii) When a wave propagates through a 1. Travel in the form of Compressions and
medium only energy is transferred and Rarefactions
S

not the medium. 2. Travel in solids , liquids and gases

3. Pressure is maximum at compression and
T.

(iii) The energy transfer through a medium

takes place with a constant speed which minimum at rarefaction
varies from medium to medium 4. Particles vibrate along the direction of
propagation of the wave
I.

(iv) When two or more than two waves

travel thro ugh a medium their 5. Cannot be polarized
displacements get algebraically added. 6.
This is called principle of superposition. C R C R C R
(v) When a wave travels from one medium Q8) Differentiate between light and sound waves.
to another its frequency remains S.No Light Waves
constant but the speed , wavelength and 1. Are electromagnetic in nature
intensity may change. 2 Can travel in vacuum
Q6) Give the qualities of a medium through which 3 Travel with a speed of 3 x 108 m/sec in air
a wave propagates . 4. Travel as transverse waves i.e. crests and
Ans) The qualities of the medium are : troughs in air
(i) Medium should be elastic so that the 5 Causes a sensation of sight
particles can come back to their mean 6 The wavelength is small of the order 10-6 m

Centre 1 : 42 Race Course, Suri Chowk, Dehradun//Centre 2 : 2 nd Floor, Chandan Palace, GMS Road,
(We Promise Success) Near Wadia Institute, Dehradun. Ph.: 9897342227, 9760116044
Sound Notes - X Page | 2

Sound Waves (vii)They are used to detect flaws and

1. Are mechanical in nature microscopic holes in metallic and
2. Need a medium to travel ceramic sheets.
3. Travel with a speed of 330 m/sec in air Q13) Why are ultrasonic’s used ?
4. Travels as longitudinal waves in air Ans) Ultrasonic’s carry a lot of energy and are
5. Causes a sensation of hearing direction specific as they do not scatter.
6. The wavelength is in the range of 10-2 to 10 Q14) What is Sonar ? State the principle on which
m it is based .
Q9) Name the subjective property of (i) sound Ans) SONAR is sound navigation and ranging.
related to its frequency (ii) light related to its Ultrasounds are emitted in all directions and
wavelength received back after striking objects . A picture
Ans) (i) pitch(ii) Colour of the objects around can be obtained . So
Q10) Define the following : ships constantly find the depth of the sea to

LS
(i) Amplitude: Maximum displacement of avoid shallow waters and find perils of sea
a particle from the mean position . Is like icebergs, mines, submarines and avoid
measured in meters collision with other ships. The principle on

IA
(ii) Frequency: Number of vibrations which sonar works is echo location.
produced by a body in 1 second. Is Q15) What is echo location ?
measured in Hertz or /sec Ans) The waves received after reflection from

R
(iii) Wavelength: The distance travelled by other objects help us to make a figure on a
a wave in one complete vibration. Is screen. This helps to find objects around us.
TO
measured in meters . This is called echo location.
(iv) Wave velocity: The distance travelled Q16) How can bats catch their pray at night even
by a wave in unit time is called wave when they are almost blind.
velocity. Is measured in m/sec Ans) Bats emit ultrasonic’s in all directions and
TU

Q11) What are infrasonics. Give one use of it. receive the waves which get reflected from
Ans) Infrasonic are sound waves having a objects around them. This helps them to
frequency less than 20 hertz. They are identify their pray and path even at night.
inaudible to humans as our audibility range Q17) Give three characteristics of musical sound .
is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. One use of Ans) (i) Loudness: It is characteristic which
S

infra sonics is that they are used for cracking helps us to distinguish between two
of rocks during drilling process waves having same pitch and same
T.

Q12) What are ultrasonic’s. Give its seven uses . quality. It is used to distinguish a loud
Ans) Ultrasonic’s are sound waves which have a sound from a faint one.
frequency more than 20,000 hertz. They are (ii) Pitch: It is characteristic which helps us
I.

inaudible to humans as our audibility range to distinguish two sounds having same
is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The seven uses loudness and same quality . It is used to
of ultrasonic’s are distinguish a shrill sound from a flat one.
(i) They are used to train dogs and dolphins Quality or Timbre: It is t he
using Galton’s whistle. characteristic which helps us to
(ii) They are used for ultra-sonography to distinguish two sounds having same
find stones in kidney, gall bladder and loudness and same pitch. It depends on
imaging inner organs wave pattern .
(iii) They are used for echo cardiography to Q18) What are free vibrations?
image the heart and detect its ailments. Ans) A body is said to execute free vibrations
(iv) They are used for welding of two metals. when it vibrates with a constant amplitude
(v) They are used by bats for flying and and a constant frequency .These are possible
detecting their pray . only in vacuum . For example A pendulum
(vi) They are used in automatic dish washers. or a tuning fork vibrating in vacuum
Centre 1 : 42 Race Course, Suri Chowk, Dehradun//Centre 2 : 2 nd Floor, Chandan Palace, GMS Road,
(We Promise Success) Near Wadia Institute, Dehradun. Ph.: 9897342227, 9760116044
Sound Notes - X Page | 3

2. Amplitude is small, Loud sound may not be

+a
heard

Displacement
3. Lasts for very short time
0
t 4. Vibrations are not in phase with external
force
a
Resonance
Q19) Can free vibrations take place in air ? 1. Frequency of the two bodies are equal
Ans) No free vibrations are not possible in air. 2. Amplitude is large , Loud sound is heard
Since air offers a resistance, some energy is 3. Lasts longer
lost to overcome that resistance and hence 4. Vibrations are in phase with the external
the amplitude starts decreasing and finally force.
fades away. Q25) Why is a loud sound heard during resonance?
Q20) Can free vibrations lead to resonance ? Ans) Since the two bodies under resonance

LS
Ans) Free vibrations can never lead to resonance vibrate with same frequency in same phase ,
since they take place in vacuum and the their amplitudes get added . Since loudness
waves cannot propagate . So the frequency is directly proportional to the square of

IA
of two bodies cannot become equal and amplitude , a louder sound is heard.
resonance cannot take place. Q26) What is persistence of hearing ?
Q21) What are forced vibrations? Ans) Persistence of hearing is the time in which

R
Ans) When a body vibrates under the action of the sensation of any sound persists in a human
an external force with a frequency other than ear, after the existing stimulus ceases to act.
TO
its natural frequency, it Is said to execute Q27) How does sound travel in air.
forced vibrations. For example. When the Ans) Sound in air travels in the form of
stem of a vibrating tuning fork is pressed on compressions and rarefactio ns i.e.
a table top , table produces a humming sound longitudinal waves.
TU

because it vibrates showing forced Q28) When can a forced vibration lead to a loud
vibrations. sound.
Q22) Give an experiment to show that vibrating Ans) When the difference between the frequency
bodies produce a sound . of the two vibrating bodies is very small or
Ans) Take a tuning fork and strike it on a rubber zero a loud sound may be heard.
S

pad. Keep it near your ear and we hear a Q29) Why do stringed instruments have a sound
sound. Now touch it to suspended table box ?
T.

tennis ball. We find that the ball starts moving Ans) Sound box contains air. When strings are
to and fro on coming in contact with the set into vibration the air in the sound box
tuning fork .This shows that tuning fork is vibrates in a large surface area. When the
I.

vibrating and produces a sound. frequency of the air column becomes equal
Q23) What is resonance ? to the frequency of strings resonance takes
Ans) Resonance is a type of forced vibration in place and thus a loud sound is heard.
which the natural frequency of a body Q30) Why does a guitar have pegs on it ?
becomes equal to the frequency of the source Ans) Pegs are provided to increase or decrease
.The body starts vibrating with a larger the tension of the string so that they can
amplitude and a loud sound is heard. This is produce sound of a desired frequency.
called resonance. Q31) Why is a guitar provided with a number of
Q24) Differentiate between forced vibrations and strings of different thickness ?
resonance . Ans) Frequency of sound produced is inversely
S.No Forced Vibrations proportional to the mass per unit length of
1. Frequency of the two bodies may not be the wire. So the thicker wires produce lower
equal frequencies and thinner wires produce high

Centre 1 : 42 Race Course, Suri Chowk, Dehradun//Centre 2 : 2 nd Floor, Chandan Palace, GMS Road,
(We Promise Success) Near Wadia Institute, Dehradun. Ph.: 9897342227, 9760116044
Sound Notes - X Page | 4

frequencies. By providing a number of Ans) The sound heard after reflection from a
strings a guitarist gets a wide range of distant object is called echo. The conditions
frequencies to play from. for echo to take place are (i) the distance of
Q32) How will you increase the frequency of a the reflecting surface should be at least 17
stretched string ? meters and time taken by the sound to come
Ans) The frequency of a stretched string can be back should be at least 0.1 seconds (ii)
increased by (i) increasing the tension of the intensity of sound should be this much that it
wire (ii) shortening the length of vibration (iii) can be heard after reflection from a distant
decreasing the mass per unit length of the object (iii) size of the reflecting surface should
wire. be comparable to the wavelength of sound.
Q33) How will you decrease the frequency of a Q39) What happens to the amplitude of the
stretched string ? vibrations of a body undergoing (i) forced
Ans) The frequency of a stretched string can be vibrations (ii) resonance

LS
decreased by (i) decreasing the tension of Ans) During forced vibrations the amplitude
the wire (ii) increasing the length of vibration remains small but during resonance the
(iii) increasing the mass per unit length of the amplitude becomes large.

IA
wire. Q40) Define loudness. Give the factors on which
Q34) Why are soldiers not allowed to march on a it depends.
suspended bridge ? Ans) Loudness is the characteristic of musical

R
Ans) If the frequency of the sound produced sound which helps us to distinguish between
during marching of soldiers matches with the a loud and a faint sound. The factors on
TO
natural frequency of the bridge, resonance which it depends are
takes place. The bridge vibrates with a large (i) directly proportional to the square of the
amplitude and may even collapse. amplitude
Q35) How does radio and T.V communication (ii) inversely proportional to the square of
TU

take place ? the distance of the source

Ans) Radio waves of particular frequencies are (iii) directly proportional to the surface area
released in air. When we tune our radio or of the vibrating body
television sets to the desired frequency, (iv) directly proportional to the presence of
resonance takes place and they start resonating bodies
S

receiving the signal. (v) directly proportional to the density of the

Q36) When piano is played in a concert, body
T.

sometimes a chandelier vibrates on a Q41) Define pitch. Give the factor on which it
particular note. Explain . depends.
Ans) On a particular note the frequency of the Ans) Pitch is the characteristic of the musical
I.

sound produced becomes equal to the sound which helps us to distinguish between
natural frequency of the chandelier. a shrill and a flat sound. It is directly
Resonance takes place and it vibrates on a proportional to the frequency and inversely
particular note. proportional to the wavelength of sound.
Q37) During thundering sometimes the window
pane rattles. Explain
Amplitude
Displacement

Ans) During thundering sometimes the natural Time

frequency of the window panes become
equal to the frequency of the sound
Fork A
produced during thundering , resonance takes
(a) LOW PITCH NOTE (Frequency = ƒ, wavelength = )
place and the panes rattle.
Q38) What is an echo ? Give the conditions for
echo to take place.

Centre 1 : 42 Race Course, Suri Chowk, Dehradun//Centre 2 : 2 nd Floor, Chandan Palace, GMS Road,
(We Promise Success) Near Wadia Institute, Dehradun. Ph.: 9897342227, 9760116044
Sound Notes - X Page | 5

Small

Amplitude

Displacement
Displacement
Amplitude
Time
Time

Fork B
(b) HIGH PITCH NOTE (Frequency = 2ƒ, wavelength = /2) (a) SOFT NOTE

Q42) Why do men generally have a flat voice and Large

Displacement
Amplitude
women a shrill voice ?
Ans) The vocal chords of women are stretched Time
and so they produce sound of high frequency.
So women have a shriller voice and men have

LS
(a) LOUD NOTE
a flat voice.
Q43) How can you make out filling of a pitcher Ans) Sound B is louder since its amplitude is more
placed under a tap ? than A.

IA
Ans) When the pitcher is empty, the length of air Q48) Find the ratio of wavelengths of the given
column is large. So sounds of low frequency waves A and B.
are produced. But when water starts filling

R
the pitcher, the length of air column starts

Amplitude
Displacement
decreasing. The frequency of sound Time
TO
produced starts increasing and hence shriller
sounds are produced. When it get filled up
Fork A
the becomes very shrill and hence it be
(a) LOW PITCH NOTE (Frequency = ƒ, wavelength = )
realized that the pitcher has got full.
TU

Q44) Two boys are playing identical guitars A and

B. Will they produce the same sound ?

Amplitude
Displacement

Ans) When two boys play identical guitars, they Time

may produce notes of same loudness and
pitch but the number of harmonics produced
S

Fork B
is different and hence a different wave (b) HIGH PITCH NOTE (Frequency = 2ƒ, wavelength = /2)
pattern is produced. So the quality of sound
T.

produced is different and can be Ans) Wavelength ratio is 2 : 1.

distinguished. Q49) How would two astronauts communicate
Q45) How can you recognize a person on with each other in absence of atmosphere ?
I.

telephone without seeing him ? Ans) Since sound waves are mechanical they
Ans) We recognize the voice quality of a person. require a medium . In absence of atmosphere
Every person produces a different wave on moon sound waves cannot be used. So
pattern and hence the voice quality differs they communicate using radio waves as they
which helps us to recognize a person without are electromagnetic in nature and can travel
seeing him. though vacuum.
Q46) The amplitude of two sound waves are in Q50) What is noise pollution .Give four harmful
the ratio 2 : 3. What is the ratio of their effects of noise pollution.
loudness ? Ans) Sounds above a loudness level of 120 dB
Ans) Since loudness is directly proportional to the cause sound pollution. Sound pollution
square of amplitude, thus the ratio of the causes headache, sleeping disorders, loss of
loudness is 4 : 9 concentration and hypertension.
Q47) Which sound is louder and why?

Centre 1 : 42 Race Course, Suri Chowk, Dehradun//Centre 2 : 2 nd Floor, Chandan Palace, GMS Road,
(We Promise Success) Near Wadia Institute, Dehradun. Ph.: 9897342227, 9760116044
Sound Notes - X Page | 6

Q51) Give differences between musical sound and Q54) Define quality of sound or timbre .Give the
noise. factor on which it depends.
S.No Musical Sound Ans) Quality or timbre is that characteristic of
1. Musical sound is pleasant, soothing to hear musical sound which helps us to distinguish
2. There are no sudden changes in amplitude between two sounds having same loudness
and frequency and pitch. Quality depends on the waveform
3. Sound level is between 10 dB to 30 dB or wave pattern.
4. Produced by vibrations which are periodic Q55) Is resonance possible in water columns?
5. Wave form is regular Give an example
6. Example sound produced by musical Ans) Yes resonance is possible in water columns.
instruments When water level in an enclosed container
is lowered it shows multiple resonance.When
an air column of given length with one end

LS
Displacement

Time closed, the frequencies of different modes

7. of vibrations are in the ratio 1 : 3 : 5 : …….,
so if the lengths of air column with one end

IA
(a) MUSIC closed are in the ratio 1 : 3 : 5 : …….
Noise Frequency of vibration of air column will be
1. Noise is harsh , discordant and unpleasant same and resonance will take place.

R
to hear. Q56) A tuning fork is struck on a rubber pad and
2. They suddenly change in noise held over a length of air column in a test tube.
TO
3. Sound level is above 120 dB A loud sound is heard. Name t he
4. Produced by an irregular succession of phenomenon. What would you observe
disturbances when the water level is further lowered in
5. Wave form is irregular the test tube ?
TU

6. Sounds produced by aero planes , grinding Ans) A loud sound is heard because the frequency
machines of the air column becomes equal to the
frequency of the tuning fork , resonance takes
place. When water is lowered further
multiple loud sounds are heard when the
Displacement

Time
S

7. frequency of the tuning fork becomes odd

integer multiples of the frequency of the air
T.

(b) NOISE column.

Q57) What are damped vibrations. Draw a
Q52) Loudness is subjective and intensity is
diagram.
I.

objective. Comment
Ans) Loudness cannot be measured, it is a +a
sensation which can be fealt and varies from
person to person depending on the sensitivity
Displacement

of the ears of the listener. So it is subjective

in nature. Intensity is objective since it can Time
be measured and is same for every person.
Q53) Pitch is subjective while frequency is a

objective. Comment
Ans) Pitch cannot be measured, it is a sensation Ans) When a body vibrates under the influence
which can be fealt and varies from person of an external force with a decreasing
to person. So it is subjective in nature. amplitude which finally fades away, it is said
Frequency is objective since it can be to be executing damped vibrations. Due to
measured and is same for every person. the resistance offered by the external force

Centre 1 : 42 Race Course, Suri Chowk, Dehradun//Centre 2 : 2 nd Floor, Chandan Palace, GMS Road,
(We Promise Success) Near Wadia Institute, Dehradun. Ph.: 9897342227, 9760116044
Sound Notes - X Page | 7

the vibrating body loses energy. For example A loud sound is heard with tube B as the
a tuning fork or a string vibrating in air. frequency of the air column becomes equal
Q58) How do trawler men detect fishes in water? to the frequency of the tuning fork since its
Ans) Trawler men release ultrasonic waves in length of the air column becomes three times.
water which get reflected after striking an No loud sound is heard in tubes A and C
object. The place they get reflected early since the frequencies do not match.
may have lot of fishes. This is called SONAR. Q64) Define intensity of sound. Give its S.I unit.
Q59) Draw diagrams to show a pure note and a Ans) It is the amount of vibrational energy passing
musical note. per unit area of a medium per unit time in a
direction normal to the area. Its unit is
Displacement

microwatt / m2 which is equal to 106 joule

Time
per second per metre2.
Q65) Why does a flute have holes provided in it ?

LS
Ans) Flute provides an air column whose length
(a) WAVE FORM OF TUNING FORK
can be altered by opening and closing the
holes. This helps us to produce sounds of
Displacement

IA
Time
desired frequency.
Q66) What are percussion instruments? Give three
examples.

R
(a) WAVE FORM OF A PIANO Ans) Percussion instruments have a leather
membrane which vibrates when struck or
Q60) What is the difference between a note and a
TO
beaten and produce sound. Tabla , Dholak
tone?
and drums are examples of percussion
Ans) A note is a sound of a single frequency while
instruments.
tones are integer multiples of note.
Q67) Why don’t we hear an echo in a small room?
Q61) Rear view mirror sometimes vibrate violently
TU

Ans) In a small room the reflecting walls are at a

at a certain speed of the vehicle. Explain.
distance less than 17 meters .So the reflected
How can you stop the vibrations ?
sound reaches an observer in less than 0.1
Ans) When the natural frequency of the rear view
secs and overlaps the original sound. So no
mirror becomes equal to the natural
echo is heard.
frequency of the sound being produced by
S

Q68) Why does a guitarist move his hand up and

the engine, it picks up these vibrations and
down on the strings while playing ?
T.

starts vibrating under resonance. We can

Ans) A guitarist plucks a wire from one end and
stop this by changing the speed of the vehicle.
only the portion of wire between his two
Q62) What is acoustics ?
hands vibrates. When he presses the wire at
I.

Ans) Acoustics is the branch of physics which

different points, he alters the length of
deals with reflection of sound.
vibration. A shorter vibrating length produces
Q63) Four test tubes 20 cm in height are filled with
sounds of higher frequencies while a longer
water as shown in the diagram. A tuning fork
length produces lower frequencies or flat
struck on a rubber pad is placed on test tube
sounds.
D and a loud sound is heard . What would
Q69) What is that you tune in your radio set to
you observe when it is placed on other test
catch a signal ?
tubes.
Ans) We try to make the frequency of the radio
coil equal to the natural frequency of the
signal so that it vibrates under resonance and
Ans) 14 16
18
catches the signal.
12
Q70) Draw diagrams of pure note, first harmonics
A B C D and second harmonics.

Centre 1 : 42 Race Course, Suri Chowk, Dehradun//Centre 2 : 2 nd Floor, Chandan Palace, GMS Road,
(We Promise Success) Near Wadia Institute, Dehradun. Ph.: 9897342227, 9760116044