Question

State the factors on which the loudness of a sound depends.

Answer 1

The degree of sensation produced in the ear by a sound is called its loudness.

The loudness of a sound depends on the following factors:

1. Loudness mainly depends on the amplitude of vibration:

1. It is observed that the greater the amplitude, the louder is the sound produced. When we whisper, we use very less energy and the amplitude of vibration of your vocal cords is small.
2. So, the sound produced is very weak. When we shout, we use more energy and the amplitude of vibration of our vocal cords is large.
3. As a result, a loud sound is produced

2. Loudness depends on the distance between the source of sound and the listener:

1. A sound wave spreads out from its source in all directions. As it moves away from the source, its amplitude and consequently, its loudness decreases.
2. A louder sound can travel a larger distance as it is associated with higher amplitude and higher energy.
3. We can listen to the sound produced due to the explosion of a higher power cracker bomb from quite a large distance due to this very reason.

3. Loudness also depends on the surface area of the vibrating object:

1. The larger the surface area of the vibrating object, the louder the sound.
2. We all know that a large-sized drum produces a louder Sound than a small-sized drum.