Transmission of Sound Waves Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

When a sound wave passes from one medium into another, which quantity stays the same?

The frequency — it is set by the source.

What happens to the wavelength of a sound wave when it passes into a medium where it travels faster?
e.g. sound going from air into water

The wavelength increases, because the frequency is unchanged and $v = f\lambda$.

True or false? Sound travels faster in solids than in air.

True. The particles are closer together, so vibrations are passed on more quickly.

Why can sound waves not travel through a vacuum?

They are mechanical waves and need particles of a medium to vibrate.