Chapter 16, Problem 1Q

What is the evidence that sound travels as a wave?

To determine

The evidence that sound travel as a wave.

Answer to Problem 1Q

The evidence that sound travels as wave is that humans are able to hear sound due to propagation of sound as a wave and also it produces main characteristics.

Explanation of Solution

The sound needs a medium to propagate similar to mechanical wave. Sound wave needs source which creates them. These waves propagates by oscillating the tiny particles in their vicinity. As this particle vibrates, it causes other particle near to it to vibrate all the particle vibrates in a same direction. This vibration of particles appears like the propagation of wave.

The main characteristis of a wave are difraction, refraction, and interference, thus sound waves are producing these effets.

The evidance to prove sound travel as wave is when a person speaks. The mouth of person oscillates the particle nearby to it by providing energy to it. This particle oscillates the nearby particle and hence a wave is created. As this wave reaches the ear of other human being it is sensed by the eardrum of ear. This eardrum also vibrates with the wave and hence human brain sense this wave as brain.

Therefore, sound travel as a wave.

Conclusion:

Thus, the evidence that sound travels as wave is that humans are able to hear sound due to propagation of sound as a wave and also it produces main characteristics.