Summary of Physics of Hearing

This text summarizes key points related to sound; speed of sound, frequency, & wavelength; sound intensity & sound level; doppler effect & sonic booms; sound interference & resonance; standing waves in air columns; hearing; and ultrasound. Advanced Placement® and AP® are trademarks registered and/or owned by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this textbook.

Topics

  • acoustic impedance
  • antinode
  • bow wake
  • Doppler effect
  • Doppler shift
  • Doppler-shifted ultrasound
  • fundamental
  • harmonics
  • hearing
  • infrasound
  • intensity
  • intensity reflection coefficient
  • loudness
  • node
  • note
  • overtones
  • phon
  • pitch
  • sonic boom
  • sound
  • sound intensity level
  • sound pressure level
  • timbre
  • tone
  • ultrasound