Sound
⭐ MasteredSound is made by vibrations that travel through air as waves. Louder sounds have bigger vibrations, and higher pitch means faster vibrations.
Sound cannot travel in space because there is no air.
All about Sound
Sound is energy that travels as a wave. It is made when something vibrates, such as a guitar string or your vocal cords. The vibrations push on the air particles next to them, and the push travels outwards to your ears.
The loudness of a sound depends on the size of the vibrations, called amplitude. Pitch depends on how fast something vibrates, called frequency. Fast vibrations make high sounds, and slow vibrations make low ones.
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Real-life uses of Sound
- Using sonar to find fish and map the seabed
- Tuning musical instruments to the right pitch
- Using ultrasound to see inside the body before a baby is born
Frequently asked questions about Sound
Why can't we hear sound in space?
Sound needs a material to travel through. Space is almost empty, so there are no particles to carry the vibrations.
Does sound travel faster in water or air?
Sound travels faster in water than in air, and faster still in solids like steel.
What is an echo?
An echo is sound that bounces off a hard surface and returns to your ears a moment later.