Question 1

What is sound?

Accepted Answer

Sound is what we hear with our ears. It is made by vibrations that travel through the air to reach us.

Question 2

How does sound travel?

Accepted Answer

Sound travels in waves, like when you throw a stone into water and see ripples. These waves move through the air and let us hear things.

Question 3

Why can't sound travel in space?

Accepted Answer

Sound can't travel in space because there is no air there. Sound needs air or something to move through, like water or something solid.

Question 4

What makes a sound loud or soft?

Accepted Answer

A sound is loud when the vibrations are big and soft when the vibrations are small. It's like the difference between tapping and banging a drum.

Question 5

What makes a sound high or low?

Accepted Answer

High sounds have fast vibrations, and low sounds have slow vibrations. It's like the difference between a squeaky voice and a deep voice.

Question 6

How do musical instruments make sound?

Accepted Answer

Musical instruments make sound by vibrating. For example, a guitar string vibrates when plucked, which makes sound.

Question 7

Why do we hear echoes?

Accepted Answer

We hear echoes because sound waves bounce off walls or mountains and come back to us. It's like playing with a bouncy ball that hits a wall and returns!

Question 8

What is the speed of sound?

Accepted Answer

Sound travels at about 767 miles per hour in air. That's faster than a car but slower than light.

Question 9

How do our ears help us hear?

Accepted Answer

Our ears catch sound waves, and they travel inside where tiny parts send messages to our brain. This way, we know what we're hearing!

Question 10

Why do different objects make different sounds?

Accepted Answer

Different objects make different sounds because of their size and shape. For example, a drum sounds different from a bell.

Question 11

Can sound go through walls?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sound can go through walls, but it gets quieter. It's like when you hear someone talking in another room.

Question 12

Why does our voice sound different when recorded?

Accepted Answer

Our voice sounds different when recorded because we usually hear it from inside our head, not from outside. Recordings capture the outside sound.

Question 13

How do sound waves look?

Accepted Answer

Sound waves look like ripples or wavy lines. You can't see them in the air, but machines can help us see what they look like.

Question 14

What is noise?

Accepted Answer

Noise is any unwanted or unpleasant sound. It's like a loud screech that startles you, unlike a song you enjoy.

Question 15

What animals can hear really well?

Accepted Answer

Animals like dogs, cats, and bats can hear better than humans. They can hear sounds that are too high for us!

Question 16

Why do we put our hands to our ears to hear better?

Accepted Answer

When we cup our hands around our ears, it helps catch more sound. It's like using a funnel to direct more water into a bottle.

Question 17

How do dolphins use sound?

Accepted Answer

Dolphins use sound to communicate and find food. They send out sound waves that bounce back, helping them know what's around them.

Question 18

What does a sound meter do?

Accepted Answer

A sound meter measures how loud or soft a sound is. It's like a ruler for sound.

Question 19

Why do our voices sound funny in a helium balloon?

Accepted Answer

Helium makes our voices sound funny because it changes how sound waves travel in the gas. The sound waves move faster, making our voice higher!

Question 20

How can animals hear under water?

Accepted Answer

Animals can hear underwater because sound travels well in water. They have special ears or other body parts to catch those sound waves.

The Physics of Sound - 20 FAQs Explained Simply