CLASS 5 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Sound sources and vibrations – basics
How it works
Sound is created by vibrations of bodies. These vibrations set the surrounding air in motion, causing sound waves to spread. Sound sources are objects that generate such vibrations, such as a guitar string, a drum or the human voice. The vibration frequency determines pitch, and the amplitude determines volume. Sound can propagate in gases, liquids and solids, but not in a vacuum. Sound waves are mechanical waves and require a medium to propagate.
Note
Sound is created by vibrations, propagates as a wave in a medium and requires matter for transmission.
Sound is created by vibrations, propagates as a wave in a medium and requires matter for transmission.
An example
Which property of a guitar string influences the pitch of the produced tone most strongly?
The vibration frequency of the guitar string determines the pitch. The higher the frequency, the higher the tone sounds.
Try it yourself now
50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Physics. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.