Sound-wave

A sound-wave is a disturbance, or vibration, that travels through a medium (like air, water, or solids) and carries energy in the form of sound. These waves are created by vibrating objects and propagate as longitudinal waves, meaning the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation. The characteristics of a sound-wave, such as its amplitude (loudness) and frequency (pitch), determine the nature of the sound perceived by an observer. Sound-waves are fundamental to communication, music, and various scientific and technological applications, including medical imaging and sonar technology. The physical properties of a sound-wave interact with the surrounding medium impacting how they move; for instance, a sound-wave is faster in denser mediums, and can undergo effects such as reflection, refraction and diffraction.

Sound-wave meaning with examples

• The musician's guitar string vibrating created a sound-wave that traveled through the air to reach our ears. Its vibrations transported energy; therefore, when it was heard, we understood it as music. We enjoyed the wave, the sound that made its way across the room, and the way it filled the whole space with noise. The energy of the vibrations was absorbed by the air and changed our auditory sensation.
• Engineers used a sophisticated microphone array to capture the sound-wave emanating from the engine, allowing them to analyze its acoustic signature. This analysis was important to figure out if there was anything wrong with the engine. By studying the characteristics of the wave they were able to figure out where the problem was and make repairs to the engine.
• In a medical ultrasound, a sound-wave is sent through the body and the echoes it produces are used to create an image. This process is safe, non-invasive, and provides valuable information about internal structures. The images are produced from the way the sound waves are reflected in the body and is a common method of viewing an internal organ in this non-harmful fashion.
• The approaching thunderstorm produced a powerful sound-wave, marked by a clap of thunder that rattled the windows. The low frequency waves traveled great distances with intensity as an after-effect of lightning. The storm brought with it a sound-wave that quickly moved through the air and created a noise that indicated nature's impressive power.