hanghullámokon

Hanghullámok are mechanical waves that propagate through a medium, such as air, water, or solids, by causing vibrations. They are generated by a source, like a vibrating object, which displaces the particles of the medium. This displacement creates regions of compression, where particles are squeezed together, and rarefaction, where particles are spread apart. These compressions and rarefactions travel through the medium as a wave.

The speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium, including its density and elasticity. Sound travels faster in denser and more elastic materials. For example, sound travels faster in water than in air, and even faster in solids like steel. The frequency of a sound wave, measured in Hertz (Hz), determines its pitch. Higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches, while lower frequencies correspond to lower pitches. The human ear can typically detect sound frequencies ranging from about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

The amplitude of a sound wave is related to its intensity or loudness. Larger amplitudes correspond to more intense sound waves and thus louder sounds. Intensity is often measured in decibels (dB). While sound waves are mechanical, meaning they require a medium to travel, electromagnetic waves like light can travel through a vacuum. The study of sound is known as acoustics.