Vibrating bodies generate sound in the form of energy. But do all vibrating bodies make a sound that humans can hear? NO, is the response. Sound comes in two forms: audible sound and inaudible sound. These sounds are categorized on the basis of their frequency ranges.
Inaudible sound
The human ear cannot distinguish sound frequencies below 20 Hz or 20 vibrations per second. Therefore, any sound below this frequency won’t be audible to humans. The amplitude of the wave would depend on how loud the sound was because the human ear cannot hear frequencies beyond 20000 vibrations per second (20 kHz) in the high-frequency range. Therefore, the range of frequencies that are inaudible is between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. Therefore, the range of frequencies that are inaudible is between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.Therefore, the range of frequencies that are inaudible is between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. Infrasonic sound is a term used to describe low-frequency sounds that are too high for the human ear to hear. However, ultrasonic sound is also a term for the higher range of inaudible frequency.
Some animals, such as dogs, are capable of hearing noises at frequencies higher than 20 kHz. Only dogs can hear the police department’s whistles since they have frequencies greater than 20 kHz. There are several uses for inaudible frequencies. These are employed in a variety of sectors, including science and medicine. The ultrasonic technology used to track and analyse a variety of medical issues operates at frequencies higher than 20 kHz.
Audible sound
Frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz are easily audible to the human ear. As a result, audible sound is defined as sound waves having a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.If they are in the audible frequency range, every tiny fluctuation in air pressure may be detected by the human ear. Less than one billionth of an atmospheric pressure change can be detected.
The top limit of hearing frequencies diminishes as we become older and are exposed to sound for prolonged periods of time. The maximum frequency that a typical middle-aged adult can hear well is between 12 and 14 kilohertz.
Watch the video to learn more about audible and inaudible sounds
So from the above discussion, now we know how sound can be differentiated on the basis of the frequency range and its application. To know more about sound, download BYJU’S- the learning app.
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