Sound Waves Flashcards

Grade 4 · Science · Flashcards

Key vocabulary and concepts about how sound is produced and travels.

Flashcards

Sound: A form of energy created by vibrations that travels as waves through matter
Vibration: Rapid back-and-forth movement of an object that produces sound waves
Sound wave: A wave that carries sound energy through compressions and rarefactions in matter
Compression: The part of a sound wave where particles are pushed close together
Rarefaction: The part of a sound wave where particles are spread apart
Frequency: The number of vibrations per second; measured in hertz (Hz)
Pitch: How high or low a sound is; determined by frequency of vibrations
Amplitude: The size or height of a wave; larger amplitude means louder sound
Volume: The loudness or softness of a sound; measured in decibels (dB)
Decibel (dB): The unit used to measure the loudness of sound
Medium: The substance (solid, liquid, or gas) through which sound waves travel
Vacuum: An empty space with no matter; sound cannot travel through a vacuum
Eardrum: A thin membrane inside the ear that vibrates when hit by sound waves, allowing us to hear