What is Sound?

Sound is what we hear, it is defined as the vibration of matter, as perceived by the sense of hearing. Physically, sound is vibrational mechanical energy that propagates through matter as a wave. (Wikipedia)

Sound, technically speaking, is an energy medium that enables the communication between humans and animals. What we, as humans, speak is a vibration of air caused by our vocal chords. Therefore it can be said that vibration is the primary creator of sound. Anything that vibrates produces sound.

Sound is measured in Hertz. Hertz (Hz) is the basic measure of sound frequency characteristics. An electromagnetic wave completes a full oscillation from its positive to its negative pole and back again in what is known as a cycle. One Hertz is equal to one cycle per second.

The human ear has the ability to hear sound vibrations in the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Sounds occurring at frequencies that are outside of this range cannot be heard by the human ear. Sound can be classified as two types based on its use to mankind.

** Beneficial Sound: those that are useful to mankind: speech, music, bell tones and the like.

** Maleficent Sound (Noise): that which is not useful to mankind: sound from traffic, explosions, blaring sound speakers, et cetera

We measure sound to understand its effect on people. Soft soothing sounds has the ability to produce a soothing effect on our minds and, in contrast, alarms and high intensity sounds can frighten the mind.