The physics of sound
In this section, you will find simple and pedagogical experiments to understand the main physical phenomena that play a role in the creation, the transmission and the perception of sound.
The production of a sound
Sound is generated by a vibration. Any vibrating object is liable to become a sound source: the vocal cords, a drum skin, a loudspeaker, but also a table, a wall...
The characteristics of sound
Intensity and frequency are the main characteristics of sound...
The perception of a sound
The vibration is collected by the pinna, then is propagated in the ear canal, makes the ear drum vibrate, goes through the ossicles and finally the cochlea.
The transmission of a sound
The vibration that generates sound is propagated in matter (solid, liquid or gas) gradually...
Does sound get transmitted in vacuum?
In the absence of matter, vibrations cannot be propagated from molecule to molecule. Therefore sound cannot be transmitted in vacuum (for instance in space).