SUBJECT : SCIENCE 7 (3rd GP) FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT #6

TYPE OF ACTIVITY : CONCEPT NOTES

ACTIVITY TITLE : FORM OF WAVE – SOUND WAVES: ITS DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS
LEARNING TARGET/S : I can define Sound Waves and describe its characteristics.
REFERENCE/S : You and the Natural World by Teresita F. Religioso et. al. pp 288 - 300
From the previous lesson, you’ve learned the Definition, Types, Characteristics and
Classifications of Waves. As a recall, Wave is defined as a disturbance in a medium or vacuum that
carries energy and can do work. In this lesson, you are going to learn more about waves, specifically its
form. Waves have four main forms namely Sound Waves, Light Waves, Heat Waves and Electrical
Waves. Let us first discuss the Sound Waves.
Sound Waves is a Mechanical and Longitudinal wave. It is produced by longitudinal vibrations
of molecules in gasses and other media. It is a mechanical wave that results from the back and forth
vibration of the particles on the medium. The travelling waves are transformed into electrical impulses
and are carried by the auditory nerves to our brains for interpretation as sound. Sound waves that
travel in air come in contact with our eardrums and cause it to vibrate. The capacity of matter to
transmit sound depends upon its elasticity (ability of an object to return to its original size or shape
after the applied distorting force has been removed). Objects with closer particles can transmit sound
more. Sound travels faster in solid than in liquids or gas. The speed of sound is 343 meters per second.
Since sound waves travels through a medium, it can either bounce back (reflected waves like echo and
reverberation) or spread out (refracted waves).
Sound waves are classified according to their frequencies. Audible Sound Waves have
frequencies ranging from 20 to 200, 000 Hertz (Hz). This is the audible range for human being.
Ultrasonic Sound Waves or Ultrasound have frequencies above 20, 000 Hz. These waves also reach
the human ear but are not detected. Infrasonic Sound Waves or Infrasound have frequencies below
20 Hz. These waves are inaudible but can cause damage to the human body.
Sound waves also differ in terms of Intensity, Pitch and Quality. These are the different
Characteristics of Sound.
A. INTENSITY
The intensity of waves is proportional to the amplitude. The higher the amplitude of a wave
the higher the intensity. Loudness is the subjective measure of the intensity of a sound.
B. PITCH
It refers to the highness or lowness of a sound. It depends upon the frequency of the sounding
object. According to the basic wave equation, a high-frequency sound gives rise to a short wave, and a
low-frequency sound to a long wave. Thus, a high pitch sound must be a high frequency sound
consisting of short waves while low pitch sound must be a low frequency sound made up of long
waves.
C. QUALITY or TIMBRE
This is the characteristic of sound that enables one to distinguish between sounds with the
same pitch and intensity but produced by different sources (instruments of voices). These differences
in quality are due to the varying vibration of the sound sources.
Apply what you know: Identify the concept being defined in each of the following number. Write
your answers on the space provided (PS: 4 pts)
______________1. – A mechanical and longitudinal wave produced when there is a back and forth movement in a medium.
______________2. – Characteristic of Sound that focus on its Highness or Lowness.
______________3. – Characteristic of Sound which is equivalent to the amplitude of a wave.
______________4. – Kind of sound wave with frequency below 20 hz.
Essential Question: In 1 short sentence only, answer the question below. (PS: 1 pt)
* Why sound is important to you?

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