How does a sound wave propagate?
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So , Sound travels by vibration , but vibration is only a one dimensional motion. Left and right. So the air molecules only move towards the left or right. So the sound wave only propagates left or right. But what if we are perpendicular to the oscillation. How do we hear sound?
waves acoustics
New contributor
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
So , Sound travels by vibration , but vibration is only a one dimensional motion. Left and right. So the air molecules only move towards the left or right. So the sound wave only propagates left or right. But what if we are perpendicular to the oscillation. How do we hear sound?
waves acoustics
New contributor
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1
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it is not that simple . see hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/sprop.html and links
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– anna v
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
So , Sound travels by vibration , but vibration is only a one dimensional motion. Left and right. So the air molecules only move towards the left or right. So the sound wave only propagates left or right. But what if we are perpendicular to the oscillation. How do we hear sound?
waves acoustics
New contributor
$endgroup$
So , Sound travels by vibration , but vibration is only a one dimensional motion. Left and right. So the air molecules only move towards the left or right. So the sound wave only propagates left or right. But what if we are perpendicular to the oscillation. How do we hear sound?
waves acoustics
waves acoustics
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New contributor
edited 1 hour ago
Qmechanic♦
106k121921212
106k121921212
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asked 2 hours ago
Sarvesh ThiruppathiSarvesh Thiruppathi
212
212
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1
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it is not that simple . see hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/sprop.html and links
$endgroup$
– anna v
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
it is not that simple . see hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/sprop.html and links
$endgroup$
– anna v
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
it is not that simple . see hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/sprop.html and links
$endgroup$
– anna v
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
it is not that simple . see hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/sprop.html and links
$endgroup$
– anna v
2 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
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$begingroup$
vibration is only a one dimensional motion
This is not generally true. As a trivial example, one could the movements of water in a pond where a few small rocks have been tossed. The motion is definitely a wave behavior, and could even be called vibration, but it is most definitely not one dimensional.
Another potential example would be the vibrator on your phone, which vibrates in a circular manner.
But in the end, the key is that atoms in a sound wave don't vibrate "left and right." They are a longitudinal wave, in which particles move in the direction of the wave's motion and back.
So when something causes a sound, the waves propagate outward from the object creating the sound, as molecules of gas move away from the source and towards the source. This is typically a 3 dimensional pattern
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sound wave is not a transverse wave, as you thought. That means the vibration and the direction of propagation for sound wave are parallel. And the vibration is caused by difference in air pressure at different places. To the question "how I can listen to it" thats because the pressure difference propagates toward your ear and force your eardrum to vibrate.
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Sound travels outwards from a source in all directions. The waves that are set in motion are spherical.
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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$begingroup$
vibration is only a one dimensional motion
This is not generally true. As a trivial example, one could the movements of water in a pond where a few small rocks have been tossed. The motion is definitely a wave behavior, and could even be called vibration, but it is most definitely not one dimensional.
Another potential example would be the vibrator on your phone, which vibrates in a circular manner.
But in the end, the key is that atoms in a sound wave don't vibrate "left and right." They are a longitudinal wave, in which particles move in the direction of the wave's motion and back.
So when something causes a sound, the waves propagate outward from the object creating the sound, as molecules of gas move away from the source and towards the source. This is typically a 3 dimensional pattern
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
vibration is only a one dimensional motion
This is not generally true. As a trivial example, one could the movements of water in a pond where a few small rocks have been tossed. The motion is definitely a wave behavior, and could even be called vibration, but it is most definitely not one dimensional.
Another potential example would be the vibrator on your phone, which vibrates in a circular manner.
But in the end, the key is that atoms in a sound wave don't vibrate "left and right." They are a longitudinal wave, in which particles move in the direction of the wave's motion and back.
So when something causes a sound, the waves propagate outward from the object creating the sound, as molecules of gas move away from the source and towards the source. This is typically a 3 dimensional pattern
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
vibration is only a one dimensional motion
This is not generally true. As a trivial example, one could the movements of water in a pond where a few small rocks have been tossed. The motion is definitely a wave behavior, and could even be called vibration, but it is most definitely not one dimensional.
Another potential example would be the vibrator on your phone, which vibrates in a circular manner.
But in the end, the key is that atoms in a sound wave don't vibrate "left and right." They are a longitudinal wave, in which particles move in the direction of the wave's motion and back.
So when something causes a sound, the waves propagate outward from the object creating the sound, as molecules of gas move away from the source and towards the source. This is typically a 3 dimensional pattern
$endgroup$
vibration is only a one dimensional motion
This is not generally true. As a trivial example, one could the movements of water in a pond where a few small rocks have been tossed. The motion is definitely a wave behavior, and could even be called vibration, but it is most definitely not one dimensional.
Another potential example would be the vibrator on your phone, which vibrates in a circular manner.
But in the end, the key is that atoms in a sound wave don't vibrate "left and right." They are a longitudinal wave, in which particles move in the direction of the wave's motion and back.
So when something causes a sound, the waves propagate outward from the object creating the sound, as molecules of gas move away from the source and towards the source. This is typically a 3 dimensional pattern
answered 2 hours ago
Cort AmmonCort Ammon
23.4k34778
23.4k34778
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sound wave is not a transverse wave, as you thought. That means the vibration and the direction of propagation for sound wave are parallel. And the vibration is caused by difference in air pressure at different places. To the question "how I can listen to it" thats because the pressure difference propagates toward your ear and force your eardrum to vibrate.
New contributor
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sound wave is not a transverse wave, as you thought. That means the vibration and the direction of propagation for sound wave are parallel. And the vibration is caused by difference in air pressure at different places. To the question "how I can listen to it" thats because the pressure difference propagates toward your ear and force your eardrum to vibrate.
New contributor
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sound wave is not a transverse wave, as you thought. That means the vibration and the direction of propagation for sound wave are parallel. And the vibration is caused by difference in air pressure at different places. To the question "how I can listen to it" thats because the pressure difference propagates toward your ear and force your eardrum to vibrate.
New contributor
$endgroup$
Sound wave is not a transverse wave, as you thought. That means the vibration and the direction of propagation for sound wave are parallel. And the vibration is caused by difference in air pressure at different places. To the question "how I can listen to it" thats because the pressure difference propagates toward your ear and force your eardrum to vibrate.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 2 hours ago
user10842694user10842694
211
211
New contributor
New contributor
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sound travels outwards from a source in all directions. The waves that are set in motion are spherical.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sound travels outwards from a source in all directions. The waves that are set in motion are spherical.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sound travels outwards from a source in all directions. The waves that are set in motion are spherical.
$endgroup$
Sound travels outwards from a source in all directions. The waves that are set in motion are spherical.
answered 2 hours ago
niels nielsenniels nielsen
20.2k53061
20.2k53061
add a comment |
add a comment |
Sarvesh Thiruppathi is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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$begingroup$
it is not that simple . see hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/sprop.html and links
$endgroup$
– anna v
2 hours ago