Sound Waves
Sound is a mechanical wave produced by vibrating objects. It travels through materials as a pressure wave.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Sound is created by vibrations that produce pressure waves
Sound needs a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel — it cannot travel through a vacuum
Frequency determines pitch: high frequency = high pitch
Amplitude determines loudness: large amplitude = loud sound
Key Vocabulary
Vibration
Rapid back-and-forth movement that produces sound
Frequency
Number of wave cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz)
Amplitude
The height of a wave, related to its energy and loudness
Echo
A sound reflection off a hard surface
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Why can't sound travel through space (a vacuum)?
Question 2
A high-pitched sound has:
Question 3
Which material does sound travel FASTEST through?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Sound is created by vibrations that produce pressure waves
- ●Sound needs a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel — it cannot travel through a vacuum
- ●Frequency determines pitch: high frequency = high pitch
- ●Amplitude determines loudness: large amplitude = loud sound