What Is Sound? - Understood at Atomic Level

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In summary, sound is a wave in air pressure that is produced by the movement of air molecules at a micro level. It is not a property of macro level and does not require friction to be produced.
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mkbh_10
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What exactly is SOUND ? I have read in many books as describing it as the energy carried by fluctuation of air pressure of correct extent & rapidity or compression & rarefaction of air molecules but i want to know what exactly happens at micro level , at atomic level , out of curiosity what will happen when atoms or electron collide , is sound produced , can it be measured ? Is it a property of macro level ? IS friction necessary to produce sound ?
 
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mkbh_10 said:
What exactly is SOUND ? I have read in many books as describing it as the energy carried by fluctuation of air pressure of correct extent & rapidity or compression & rarefaction of air molecules but i want to know what exactly happens at micro level , at atomic level , out of curiosity what will happen when atoms or electron collide , is sound produced , can it be measured ? Is it a property of macro level ? IS friction necessary to produce sound ?
Do you understand what pressure is "at a micro level"? If so, then sound is essentially just a wave in the pressure.

Friction is not really relevant to sound. Basically friction is due to shear stress, while pressure is due to normal stress.
 
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Sound is like touch. Touch is movement sensed by your skin, sound is movement sensed by your ear.
 

FAQ: What Is Sound? - Understood at Atomic Level

What is sound?

Sound is a form of energy that is created by vibrations in matter. It can travel through materials such as air, water, and solids.

How is sound produced?

Sound is created when an object vibrates, causing the surrounding air molecules to also vibrate. These vibrations then travel through the air as sound waves.

How is sound measured?

Sound is measured in units called decibels (dB), which is a logarithmic scale that measures the intensity or loudness of sound. The higher the decibel level, the louder the sound.

What is the speed of sound?

The speed of sound varies depending on the medium it travels through. In air at room temperature, sound travels at approximately 343 meters per second (767 miles per hour).

How does sound travel through different materials?

Sound travels through different materials by causing the molecules in that material to vibrate. The denser the material, the faster sound can travel through it. For example, sound travels faster through water than through air.

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