Effects of Sound Waves (CIE IGCSE Physics)
Revision Note
Author
Katie MExpertise
Physics
Pitch & Loudness
- The frequency of a sound wave is related to its pitch
- Sounds with a high pitch have a high frequency (or short wavelength)
- Sounds with a low pitch have a low frequency (or long wavelength)
- The amplitude of a sound wave is related to its volume
- Sounds with a large amplitude have a high volume
- Sounds with a small amplitude have a low volume
Pitch and amplitude of sound
Echoes
- Sound waves reflect off hard surfaces
- The reflection of a sound wave is called an echo
- Echo sounding can be used to measure depth or to detect objects underwater
- A sound wave can be transmitted from the surface of the water
- The sound wave is reflected off the bottom of the ocean
- The time it takes for the sound wave to return is used to calculate the depth of the water
- The distance the wave travels is twice the depth of the ocean
- This is the distance to the ocean floor plus the distance for the wave to return
Echo sounding is used to determine water depth
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