how sound propagates in a medium and speed of sound is different in different media.
Study the propagation of sound through different media. Understand that sound needs a
medium.
Answers
Answer:
Sound is a sequence of waves of pressure which propagates through compressible media such as air or water. (Sound can propagate through solids as well, but there are additional modes of propagation). During their propagation, waves can be reflected, refracted, or attentuated by the medium. The purpose of this experiment is to examine what effect the characteristics of the medium have on sound.
All media have three properties which affect the behavior of sound propagation:
1. A relationship between density and pressure. This relationship, affected by temperature, determines the speed of sound within the medium.
2. The motion of the medium itself, e.g., wind. Independent of the motion of sound through the medium, if the medium is moving, the sound is further transported.
3. The viscosity of the medium. This determines the rate at which sound is attenuated. For many media, such as air or water, attenuation due to viscosity is negligible.
What happens when sound is propagating through a medium which does not have constant properties? For example, when sound speed increases with height? Sound waves are refracted. They can be focused or dispersed, thus increasing or decreasing sound levels, precisely as an optical lens increases or decreases light intensity.
Explanation: