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Reflection of Sound

 



In our previous blog of the series, we talked about ‘Production and propagation of sound’. Today we are going to discuss about ‘Reflection of sound’.

The term ‘reflection’ is defined as ‘throwing back of an object from a surface’. This term is frequently used for light, heat, and sound waves. In short, every wave propagation if strikes a surface and bounces back without absorption, will be termed as reflected wave. Whenever any form of wave strikes any wall or surface it bounces back in a straight line. In this phenomenon angle of reflection remains same as angle of incidence. This reflection of sound sometimes makes a set of reflected waves and compose them in a new constructive sound wave. Some of them are under discussion below.

Echo

We are very much familiar with the phenomenon of hearing same voices coming back again and again. This phenomenon can be easily observed in hill areas or in a big empty house. The phenomenon is defined as ‘the repetition of sound that is caused by reflection of sound waves’ and simply termed as echo.

Reverberation

We have been in a big hall or auditorium occasionally. Inside auditorium, production of sound creates echo. This echo keeps increasing and increasing until at a point it remains no longer audible. This phenomenon of sound persistence is known as reverberation.

Use of reflection of sound

Reflection of sound is widely used by;

Music: Musicians use this phenomenon to compose different kinds of music. All different kinds of musical instruments produce sound at the same time. These sounds get reflected and create a constructive interference of new and pleasant music. 

Stethoscope: In medical industry, stethoscope is in wide use. The mechanic of stethoscope is designed such a way that, it reflects the sound of human body directly to the ears of doctors. 

Concert or movie theater: The roof of movie theater and angle of concert sound systems are arranged in such a way that, in minimum number of sound system, whole audience can hear clear and loud audio.

That’s enough for now. In our next blogs we will discuss ultrasound and its application. Until then, go and try creating echo on your own and tell us about you experience in the comment box. We will be waiting for your comment. 






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