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Interesting fact

Ultrasound generator/speaker systems are sold with claims that they frighten away rodents and insects, but there is no scientific evidence that the devices work; controlled tests have shown that rodents quickly learn that the speakers are harmless.

In echo-sounding the reflections from ultrasound pulses that are bounced off objects (for example the bottom of the sea, fish etc.) are picked up. The reflections are timed and since their speed is known, the distance to the object can be found. This information can be built into a picture of the object that reflects the ultrasound pulses.

Sonar

Ships on the ocean make use of the reflecting properties of sound waves to determine the depth of the ocean. A sound wave is transmitted and bounces off the seabed. Because the speed of sound is known and the time lapse between sending and receiving the sound can be measured, the distance from the ship to the bottom of the ocean can be determined, This is called sonar, which stands from So und N avigation A nd R anging.

Echolocation

Animals like dolphins and bats make use of sounds waves to find their way. Just like ships on the ocean, bats use sonar to navigate. Ultrasound waves that are sent out are reflected off the objects around the animal. Bats, or dolphins, then use the reflected sounds to form a “picture” of their surroundings. This is called echolocation.

A ship sends a signal to the bottom of the ocean to determine the depth of the ocean. The speed of sound in sea water is 1450 m . s - 1 . If the signal is received 1,5 seconds later, how deep is the ocean at that point?

  1. s = 1450 m . s - 1 t = 1 , 5 s there and back t = 0 , 75 s one way D = ?
  2. Distance = speed × time D = s × t = 1450 m . s - 1 × 0 , 75 s = 1087 , 5 m

Intensity of sound (not included in caps - advanced)

Advanced section

This section is more advanced than required and is best revisited for interest only when you are comfortable with concepts like power and logarithms.

Intensity is one indicator of amplitude. Intensity is the energy transmitted over a unit of area each second.

Intensity

Intensity is defined as:

Intensity = energy time × area = power area

By the definition of intensity, we can see that the units of intensity are

Joules s · m 2 = Watts m 2

The unit of intensity is the decibel (symbol: dB). This reduces to an SI equivalent of W · m - 2 .

The average threshold of hearing is 10 - 12 W · m - 2 . Below this intensity, the sound is too soft for the ear to hear. The threshold of pain is 1 . 0 W · m - 2 . Above this intensity a sound is so loud it becomes uncomfortable for the ear.

Notice that there is a factor of 10 12 between the thresholds of hearing and pain. This is one reason we define the decibel (dB) scale.

In this way we can compress the whole hearing intensity scale into a range from 0 dB to 120 dB.

Examples of sound intensities.
Source Intensity (dB) Times greater than hearing threshold
Rocket Launch 180 10 18
Jet Plane 140 10 14
Threshold of Pain 120 10 12
Rock Band 110 10 11
Subway Train 90 10 9
Factory 80 10 8
City Traffic 70 10 7
Normal Conversation 60 10 6
Library 40 10 4
Whisper 20 10 2
Threshold of hearing 0 0

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Source:  OpenStax, Siyavula textbooks: grade 10 physical science [caps]. OpenStax CNX. Sep 30, 2011 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11305/1.7
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