Reflection
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Sound waves reflect off smooth, rigid surfaces like walls, producing echoes that are repeated but quieter versions of the original sound. An echo occurs when the reflected sound is distinguishable from the initial sound, such as between parallel walls where multiple echoes bounce back and forth. Echoes from cloud to cloud and the earth create the rolling sound of thunder. Echoes also have practical uses, like allowing ship captains to determine distances in fog by timing the echo return.
Reflection
- 1. Reflection Sounds are like a rubber ball rebounding from a hard surface, that is, they are reflected when they strike a smooth, rigid surface. If sound waves travel back along the perpendicular to the material they strike, the sound is repeated producing echoes. An echo is a repeated sound brought about by the reflection of sound waves from some surface. It is produced when the reflecting surface is far enough so that the reflected sound is distinguished from the original sound. We experience this when we stand between parallel walls. We hear several echoes as sound waves are reflected back and forth between the walls. The rolling of thunder is caused by echoes and reechoes. Sound is reflected from cloud to cloud to the Earth. An echo is no as loud as the original sound. The energy carried by the original sound waves spreads out before striking the reflecting surface. The reflected sound waves spread out again in the same way. Echoes have important applications. In foggy weather, a ship’s captain may use echoes as his basis for determining the ship’s distance between objects is measured according to the time it takes for sound to return to its source.