Properties of Sound
Pitch Loudness Speed in Various Media
Pitch, or Tone Pitch is directly related to frequency. Range of Human Hearing 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz Sonic Range
Infrasonic Below 20 Hz Above 20,000 Hz Ultrasonic
Loudness The human ear is not a linear device. It is logarithmic.
Log Graph
Decibels The unit of loudness is the decibel, 1/10 of a Bel (named after Alexander Graham Bell)
Logarithmic Hearing The decibel scale is logarithmic, which means that an increase of 10 dB is a 10 time increase in intensity.
Decibel Equation
Intensity
Increase in Intensity Intensity Increase
Speed of Sound in Media The speed of sound is directly related to the elasticity of a medium. The speed of sound in a medium is indirectly related to the density of the medium.
Graphic
General Rule for Speed of Sound in Media GasSlowest LiquidMedium SolidFastest
Speed of Sound in Air