what is happening to sound waves as they enter different mediums?
I believe that they decrease in sound and length.
Is this correct?
It depends on the properties of the mediums. The volume and speed may increase or decrease.
do a google search on sound refraction and you'll get a variety of explanations.
I'm sure your class text also discusses it.
When sound waves travel from one medium to another, such as air to water or air to glass, they undergo several changes. The specific changes depend on the properties of the mediums involved.
1. Reflection: Some portion of the sound wave may bounce back at the interface between the two mediums. This is often observed when sound waves encounter a solid surface or a boundary between two different media (e.g., air and water).
2. Refraction: The sound wave alters its direction as it enters a different medium due to a change in its speed. This occurs because the speed of sound varies in different materials. Refraction is responsible for phenomena like the bending of sound waves through a medium.
3. Absorption: Sound waves can lose energy as they travel through a medium, particularly if the medium is a solid or a liquid. This loss of energy leads to a decrease in the loudness or amplitude of the sound wave. The extent of absorption depends on the nature of the medium and the frequency of the sound wave.
4. Scattering: Sound waves can be scattered in different directions due to interactions with particles or irregularities within a medium. This scattering can disperse the sound wave, leading to a change in its characteristics.
It's worth noting that, while sound waves may undergo changes when entering different mediums, their frequency remains the same. The frequency determines the pitch of the sound and is a characteristic property of the sound wave itself.
To understand these changes in sound waves as they enter different mediums, it is helpful to study the principles of wave propagation, reflection, refraction, absorption, and scattering. By studying the physics of waves and materials, you can gain a deeper understanding of how sound behaves in different situations.