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  1. Revision notes
  2. IB Diploma
  3. Physics
  4. Physics: IB Diploma Higher Level
  5. Sound Waves

Sound Waves

Physics: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 3.2.5

Sound Waves

Sound waves are longitudinal waves. Pingu is able to hear the music in his headphones because his eardrum vibrates.

Pingu's headphones

Test yourself on Sound Waves

  • In the context of sound waves, a medium is...

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Previous topic3.2.4 Electromagnetic Waves 2Next topic3.3.1 Polarisation

Physics: IB Diploma Higher Level contents

  1. 1 Space, Time & Motion

    • 1.1 Motion

      • 1.1.1 Motion Basics
      • 1.1.2 Graphs of Motion
      • 1.1.3 Uniform Acceleration Equations
      • 1.1.4 Projectile Motion
      • 1.1.5 Bouncing Ball Example
    • 1.2 Forces

      • 1.2.1 Friction
      • 1.2.2 Terminal Speed
      • 1.2.3 Newton's Laws
      • 1.2.4 Exam-Style Question - Forces
      • 1.2.5 End of Topic Test - Newton's Third Law
    • 1.3 Momentum & Impulse

      • 1.3.1 Momentum
      • 1.3.2 Momentum 2
      • 1.3.3 End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum
    • 1.4 Work, Energy & Power

      • 1.4.1 Work & Energy
      • 1.4.2 Conservation of Energy
      • 1.4.3 Power & Efficiency
      • 1.4.4 IB Multiple Choice- Work, Energy & Power
  2. 2 The Particulate Nature of Matter

    • 2.1 Thermal Concepts

      • 2.1.1 Molecular Kinetic Theory Model
      • 2.1.2 Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 2
      • 2.1.3 Thermal Energy Transfer
      • 2.1.4 Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments
      • 2.1.5 Thermal Equilibrium
      • 2.1.6 Thermal Conductivity
      • 2.1.7 Heat Energy Transfer
    • 2.2 Modelling a Gas

      • 2.2.1 Ideal Gases
      • 2.2.2 Ideal Gases 2
      • 2.2.3 End of Topic Test - Thermal Energy & Ideal Gases
      • 2.2.4 Exam-Style Question - Ideal Gases
  3. 3 Wave Behaviour

    • 3.1 Oscillations

      • 3.1.1 Progressive Waves
      • 3.1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion
    • 3.2 Travelling Waves

      • 3.2.1 Wave Speed & Phase Difference
      • 3.2.2 Longitudinal & Transverse Waves
      • 3.2.3 Electromagnetic Waves
      • 3.2.4 Electromagnetic Waves 2
      • 3.2.5 Sound Waves
    • 3.3 Wave Characteristics

      • 3.3.1 Polarisation
    • 3.4 Wave Behaviour

      • 3.4.1 Reflection & Absorption
      • 3.4.2 Reflection of Light
      • 3.4.3 Refraction
      • 3.4.4 Refractive index
    • 3.5 Standing Waves

      • 3.5.1 Standing Waves
      • 3.5.2 Standing Waves 2
      • 3.5.3 End of Topic Test - Standing Waves
      • 3.5.4 IB Multiple Choice - Waves
    • 3.6 Simple Harmonic Motion

      • 3.6.1 Simple Harmonic Motion
      • 3.6.2 Simple Harmonic Systems
      • 3.6.3 Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
      • 3.6.4 End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion
      • 3.6.5 End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion
    • 3.7 Single Slit Diffraction

      • 3.7.1 Diffraction
    • 3.8 Interference

      • 3.8.1 Interference
      • 3.8.2 Interference 2
      • 3.8.3 Diffraction Gratings
      • 3.8.4 End of Topic Test - Diffraction
    • 3.9 Doppler Effect

      • 3.9.1 Doppler Effect
  4. 4 Fields

    • 4.1 Circular Motion

      • 4.1.1 Circular Motion
      • 4.1.2 Centripetal Force
      • 4.1.3 IB Multiple Choice - Circular Motion
    • 4.2 Newton's Law of Gravitation

      • 4.2.1 Newton's Law
      • 4.2.2 Orbits of Planets & Satellites
      • 4.2.3 Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits
      • 4.2.4 End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields
    • 4.3 Fields

      • 4.3.1 Fields
      • 4.3.2 Gravitational Field Strength
      • 4.3.3 Gravitational Potential
      • 4.3.4 Electric Field Strength
      • 4.3.5 Electrostatic & Gravitational Forces
      • 4.3.6 Electric Potential
      • 4.3.7 IB Multiple Choice - Gravitational Fields
    • 4.4 Fields at Work

      • 4.4.1 Radial Field Strength
      • 4.4.2 Orbits of Planets & Satellites
      • 4.4.3 Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits
      • 4.4.4 End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields
      • 4.4.5 Uniform Electric Fields
      • 4.4.6 IB Multiple Choice - Electric Field & Potential
    • 4.5 Electric Fields

      • 4.5.1 Electric Charge
      • 4.5.2 Conservation of Charge
      • 4.5.3 Coulomb's Law
      • 4.5.4 Current
      • 4.5.5 Potential Difference
      • 4.5.6 IB Multiple Choice - Electric Charge
    • 4.6 Magnetic Effect of Electric Currents

      • 4.6.1 Magnetism
      • 4.6.2 Magnetic Field
      • 4.6.3 Magnetic Force
      • 4.6.4 Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field
      • 4.6.5 IB Multiple Choice - Magnetism
    • 4.7 Heating Effect of Currents

      • 4.7.1 Circuits
      • 4.7.2 Resistance
      • 4.7.3 Power and Conservation
      • 4.7.4 IB Multiple Choice - DC Circuits
    • 4.8 Electromagnetic Induction

      • 4.8.1 Electromagnetic Induction
      • 4.8.2 Electromagnetic Induction 2
      • 4.8.3 Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage
      • 4.8.4 End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction
    • 4.9 Power Generation & Transmission

      • 4.9.1 Alternating Currents
      • 4.9.2 Operation of a Transformer
    • 4.10 Capacitance

      • 4.10.1 Capacitance
      • 4.10.2 Parallel Plate Capacitor
      • 4.10.3 Energy Stored by a Capacitor
      • 4.10.4 Capacitor Discharge
      • 4.10.5 Capacitor Charge
      • 4.10.6 Magnetic Flux Density
      • 4.10.7 End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density
  5. 5 Nuclear & Quantum Physics

    • 5.1 Discrete Energy & Radioactivity

      • 5.1.1 Atomic Spectra
      • 5.1.2 Atomic Structure
      • 5.1.3 Photons
      • 5.1.4 Discrete Energy Levels
      • 5.1.5 Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation
      • 5.1.6 Scientific Practices - Unstable Nuclei
      • 5.1.7 Radioactive Decay
      • 5.1.8 IB Multiple Choice - Atomic Physics
    • 5.2 Nuclear Reactions

      • 5.2.1 Mass & Energy
      • 5.2.2 Nuclear Fission
    • 5.3 The Interaction of Matter with Radiation

      • 5.3.1 Particles, Antiparticles & Photons
      • 5.3.2 Particle Interactions
      • 5.3.3 Classification of Particles
      • 5.3.4 Wave-Particle Duality
      • 5.3.5 Wave Functions & Probability
      • 5.3.6 IB Multiple Choice - Quantum Physics
    • 5.4 Nuclear Physics

      • 5.4.1 Nuclear Instability & Radioactive Decay
      • 5.4.2 Nuclear Radius
      • 5.4.3 IB Multiple Choice - Nuclear Physics
  6. 6 Measurements

    • 6.1 Measurements & Errors

      • 6.1.1 Fundamental Units
      • 6.1.2 SI Prefixes, Standard Form & Converting Units
      • 6.1.3 End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes
    • 6.2 Uncertainties & Errors

      • 6.2.1 Limitation of Physical Measurements
      • 6.2.2 Uncertainty
      • 6.2.3 Estimation
      • 6.2.4 End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors
    • 6.3 Vectors & Scalars

      • 6.3.1 Scalars & Vectors
      • 6.3.2 Vector Problems

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