The Uses of Sound Waves Thesis: Sound waves are able to carry vibrations through a medium
which results in the transfer of the energy collected in the
vibrations. Transverse waves are vibrations which are at right angles
to the wave’s direction of travel whereas longitudinal waves are
vibrations along the line of wave’s direction of travel. These waves
have a quantifiable speed, wavelength and frequency. Owing to these
properties, sound waves have scores of uses.
Introduction: Human ear is capable of hearing sounds with frequencies
of about 30Hz – 20 kHz. Sound waves are able to travel best through
rigid solids rather than through liquids and gases. However, human
ears have got accustomed to sound waves passing through air, so are
able to hear various things. The loudness of the sound is based on the
incoming waves’ amplitude whereas the pitch of the sound is based on
the incoming waves’ frequency. Musical instruments work by building up
regular vibrations like in the case of strings, skins, tubes of air
which results in the surrounding air vibrating with the same pattern
causing melodious music.
Analysis: Usually sound is absorbed by various objects. However, in
some cases, it is reflected which more commonly called as echo. When
sound strikes soft materials, it is absorbed. Such materials that
absorb most of the energy of sound waves are called sound insulators.
This property of the sound is beneficial to geologists to locate oil
reservoirs. It also helps in tracking earthquakes and to find out how
earthquakes travel through different kinds of rocks and ...
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between two parts of the heart. This speed of the blood could be
calculated by the Doppler equipment of the echocardiogram and an
estimation of pressure gradient through the pulmonary valve could be
quantified.
Similar concept works for Doppler radars which is very useful as a
weather forecasting tool with the use of radio waves. These radars are
used to calculate the frequency change in returning radio waves. Waves
bounce back by something moving away from the antenna change to a
lower frequency whereas waves from an object moving toward the antenna
change to a higher frequency. A computer which is connected to a
Doppler radar uses these frequency changes to show directions and
speeds of the winds blowing around the rain drops, insects and other
objects that reflected the radio waves and provides pictures.