Propagation of Sound Waves

Contents / notes

• Need for a material medium.
• Speed of sound in solids, liquids and air.
• Reflection of sound, echoes and reverberation, including applications.
• Advantages and disadvantages of echoes and reverberation.

Candidate objectives

• Determine the need for a material medium in the propagation of sound waves.
• Compare the speed of sound in solids, liquids and air.
• Relate the effects of temperature and pressure to the speed of sound in air.
• Solve problems involving echoes, reverberation and speed of sound.
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of echoes.