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Wavelength and Frequency

Wavelength and Frequency

May 09, 2012

Shea on Frequency:

  • The number of occurrences of a wave per second

  • The unit for frequency is Hertz (Hz)

  • 20 kHz is shorthand for 20,000 Hz

  • Audible frequency range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz

  • What is perceived as "pitch" is determined by the frequency of the sound wave

  • Male voice: 100 Hz to 8 kHz

  • High female voice: 180 to 10 kHz

  • Low frequencies in the natural world: distant thunder, earthquakes, other natural catastrophe. Low frequency rumble often denotes a threat thus the four bass notes as the shark's theme in Jaws.

  • High frequency: sometimes associated with serenity, peacefulness

  • Infrasonic: below 20 Hz. Frequencies around 12 Hz can cause nausea. This was not the case when Mythbusters tested it.

  • Ultrasonic: Frequency region above 20 kHz. Have to watch very high frequency sounds on a set (e.g. video monitors that emit strong acoustic energy at around 16,000 Hz)

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The Relationship between frequency and wavelength is this: Wavelength is the measurement of a sound wave from the apex of one wave to the apex of the next. This corresponds to frequency in that the shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency.