Trane TRG-TRC007-EN manual Sound Wave and Frequency, Fundamentals of Sound, period one

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Sound Wave and Frequency

period one

Fundamentals of Sound

notes

Sound Wave and Frequency

 

one cycle

 

+

frequency, Hz =

cycles

seconds

amplitude

 

 

-

 

 

 

time

Figure 4

Airborne sound is transmitted away from a vibrating body through the transfer of energy from one air molecule to the next. The vibrating body alternately compresses and rarefies (expands) the air molecules. The pressure fluctuations that result from the displacement of these air molecules take the form of a harmonic, or sine, wave. The amplitude of the wave depicts pressure. The higher the amplitude, the louder the sound.

This transfer of energy takes time. Each complete sequence of motion (compression and rarefaction) constitutes a cycle, and the time required to complete one cycle is the cycle period. The frequency of the periodic motion is the number of cycles that occur in a second. The unit of measure for frequency is the hertz (Hz). One hertz is equal to one cycle per second.

cycles

frequency, Hz = ----------------------

seconds

The terms pitch and frequency are often (incorrectly) used interchangeably. Frequency is an objective quantity that is independent of sound-pressure level. Pitch, however, is a subjective quantity that is primarily based on frequency, but is also dependent on sound-pressure level and composition. Pitch is not measured, but is described with terms like bass, tenor, and soprano.

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Trane TRG-TRC007-EN manual Sound Wave and Frequency, Fundamentals of Sound, period one