Properties of Sound

Sound exhibits several characteristics or properties. Two of those that you should know are volume and pitch.

Volume

Can you distinguish a loud sound from a soft sound? Find out by doing these: first shake a bell back and forth strongly then strike a tin can gently using a stick. Which sound is louder than the other?

When you shake a bell strongly, you exert much effort and energy. You then create strong vibrations and make loud sounds. When you strike a tin can gently, you exert less effort and energy. You then create weak vibrations and make soft sounds.

The loudness or softness of sound is called volume. A siren, an ambulance, and an alarm are objects that produce loud sounds. Whispering and tiptoeing are actions that produce soft sounds.