Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Physics

Key Terms

PhysicsKey Terms

amplitude
the amount that matter is disrupted during a sound wave, as measured by the difference in height between the crests and troughs of the sound wave.
beat
a phenomenon produced by the superposition of two waves with slightly different frequencies but the same amplitude
beat frequency
the frequency of the amplitude fluctuations of a wave
damping
the reduction in amplitude over time as the energy of an oscillation dissipates
decibel
a unit used to describe sound intensity levels
Doppler effect
an alteration in the observed frequency of a sound due to relative motion between the source and the observer
fundamental
the lowest-frequency resonance
harmonics
the term used to refer to the fundamental and its overtones
hearing
the perception of sound
loudness
the perception of sound intensity
natural frequency
the frequency at which a system would oscillate if there were no driving and no damping forces
overtones
all resonant frequencies higher than the fundamental
pitch
the perception of the frequency of a sound
rarefaction
a low-pressure region in a sound wave
resonance
the phenomenon of driving a system with a frequency equal to the system's natural frequency
resonate
to drive a system at its natural frequency
sonic boom
a constructive interference of sound created by an object moving faster than sound
sound
a disturbance of matter that is transmitted from its source outward by longitudinal waves
sound intensity
the power per unit area carried by a sound wave
sound intensity level
the level of sound relative to a fixed standard related to human hearing
Order a print copy

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute Texas Education Agency (TEA). The original material is available at: https://www.texasgateway.org/book/tea-physics . Changes were made to the original material, including updates to art, structure, and other content updates.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Jan 19, 2024 Texas Education Agency (TEA). The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.