3.3.9

Reflecting Sounds

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Reflecting Sounds

Sound can be reflected as it bounces off different surfaces. We call this an echo.

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Echoes

  • An echo is a reflection of a sound wave.
  • Reverberations are when there are lots of echoes. We can minimise these reflections by laying carpets or fixing acoustic foam to soundproof the walls.
  • Sound will reflect better off hard, smooth surfaces.
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Measuring the speed of sound

  • We know that sound travels at 340 m/s in air.
  • So, if we can time how long it takes for us to hear an echo, we can work out the distance:
    • Distance (m) = speed (340 m/s) × time (s)

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1Biology

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4Thinking Scientifically

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