Name: ______________________________
Test Date: _________________
Sound Study Guide
1. Be able to match the following words with their definitions:
Amplitude - the height of a sound wave; the distance between the resting point and a crest
Frequency- The number of crests or troughs in a certain amount of time
intensity - the amount of force applied to an object
pitch - how high or low a sound is (depends on frequency)
sound wave - a change that carries energy (sound) from one place to another
vibration -the back and forth motion of an object
volume- loudness of a sound; it’s determined by its amplitude
wavelength- distance between one crest or trough or another
2. How are light and sound alike?
They are both forms of energy and travel in waves.
3. Know the relationship between frequency and pitch & amplitude and volume.
Frequency (number of crests in a period of time) changes the pitch. Higher number of waves = higher sound
(tone)
Amplitude (height of crests) changes the volume. The higher the waves , the louder the sound.
4. How would you describe how sound travels? Think about direction.
Sound travels in waves that travel in all directions.
5. How does sound travel? What medium does it travel the fastest through? What medium does it travel the
through the slowest?
Sound requires matter to travel. The matter is the medium of the sound. Sound travels fastest through solids and
slowest through gases.
6. How does temperature affect how sound travels?
Sound travels faster at warmer temperatures.
7. Be able to discuss an activity done in class that demonstrated VIBRATIONS (sound).
Rice experiment, tuning forks, slinky, coat hanger experiment, straw experiment
8. Be able to draw a wave for each type of sound: (use the line provided as a resting point for your wave)
High Amplitude Sound
Low Amplitude Sound
High Frequency Sound
Low Frequency Sound
-------------------
-------------------
------------------
------------------
9. Explain how sound is produced and how you can change sound with instruments.
Instrument
How sound is produced?
How can you change the pitch?
How can you change the volume?
Plucking the strings
Making the strings longer or
shorter
Plucking the strings harder or
softer.
Drum
Hitting or tapping the drum skin
Making the skin tighter or looser.
Hitting the skin harder or softer.
Bottles
Blowing across the bottle’s top
Shortening or lengthening the air
column by adding something such
as water.
Blowing across the top harder or
softer
Guitar