Physics of Sound Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Physics of Sound - Essay Example The nature of sound could, therefore, be defined through standard wave characteristics. Loudness would be a direct component of the amplitude with sound intensity being the rightful physical description to use in this context. This intensity would directly depend on the quantity of wave energy which meets the area which is perpendicular to the direction of the wave at a specified time period. The intensity of sound would thus be expressed in Jm2s. Since dividing a joule by second yields the unit of power, Watt, Myers (134) defines sound intensity as the quantity of power that is transmitted through an area, expressed in watts per square meter (Wm-2). According to the inverse square rule – the intensity of sound is inversely proportional to the square distance from the source (Parker 8), – as the sound spreads, the intensity decreases explaining the relation of intensity and distance from the source. Pitch is another characteristic but one that relates to frequency. Musi cal instruments’ strings that vibrate rapidly result in high pitched sounds. Temperature, density, and humidity affect yet another factor, the speed of sound (Myers 136). The equation (331 + 0.6T) m/s gives the speed of sound with T being the temperature in 0C, approximated at 343, 1,480 and 6,000 m/s in the air, water, and steel respectively at room temperature. The speed of sound has been found to be higher in liquids and solids than in air.Myers (135) notes that the threshold of human hearing is about 10-12Wm-2 above which most humans would experience pain. Human ear detects s