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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 - Sound

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 - Sound

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Apr 26, 2025 12:59 PM IST

Have you ever wondered how we hear things? When something vibrates, such as a drum or your voice, it causes the air around it to move. These movements travel in the form of waves and reach our ears that is how sound occurs. Study Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Sound with careers360 NCERT solutions.

The NCERT solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 make it easy to understand how sound travels through a medium and why it can't move in a vacuum. You'll also learn how speed, wavelength, and frequency are related by the formula V=λf. These NCERT solutions for Class 9 break down every concept step by step for better understanding.

This Story also Contains
  1. NCERT Solution for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Solutions : Exercise Questions
  2. NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Sound - Additional Questions
  3. Class 9 Science NCERT Chapter 11: Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions
  4. Approach to Solve Questions of Sound Class 9
  5. Important Topics of NCERT Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Sound:
  6. NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter-wise
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 - Sound
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 - Sound

NCERT Solution for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Solutions : Exercise Questions

Q.1. What is sound and how is it produced?

Answer:

A sound is a form of energy that is produced by the vibrations of objects.

It is produced by the to and fro motion of the object. The vibrations are created which causes a disturbance in the adjacent particles of the medium. The disturbance travels in the waveform and creates sound.

Q2. Describe with the help of a diagram, how compressions and rarefactions are produced in the air near a source of so the sound.

Answer:

The compression and rarefactions produced in air near the source of sound (Here the prong) are shown in the diagram below:

1651497212871

Here C is for Compression and R is for Rarefaction.

Answer:

longitudinal waves are formed When oscillation is created parallel to the disturbance of the particles of the medium in the direction of propagation and since the sound waves also create oscillations in the particles of the medium parallel to the disturbance in the direction of propagation.

Therefore, sound waves are called a longitudinal wave .

Q4. Which characteristic of the sound helps you to identify your friend by his voice while sitting with others in a dark room?

Answer:

The quality of timber of the sound is that characteristic which enables us to distinguish one sound from another having the same pitch and loudness.

Thus, because of the difference in timbre and pitch of the sound wave, we can identify the voices of friends.

Q5. Flash and thunder are produced simultaneously. But thunder is heard a few seconds after the flash is seen, why?

Answer:

This happens because of the difference in the velocities of light and sound waves. Light travels much faster than the sound. That is the reason why we hear the thunder a few seconds after the flash of thunder is seen instead of both are produced simultaneously.

Q6. A person has a hearing range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. What are the typical wavelengths of sound waves in air corresponding to these two frequencies? Take the speed of sound in air as 344ms1 .

Answer:

Taking the speed of the sound in air as 344 m/s.

Then,

we know: Speed=Wavelength×Frequency

Or, v=λ×ν

Hence,

For ν=20 Hz ,

λ1=vν1=34420=17.2 m

and for ν=20,000 Hz

λ2=vν2=34420,000=0.0172 m

Hence, the hearing wavelength range for humans is 0.0172m to 17.2m .

Q7. Two children are at opposite ends of an aluminium rod. One strikes the end of the rod with a stone. Find the ratio of times taken by the sound wave in air and in aluminium to reach the second child.

(Given: Speed of sound in air is 346 m/s ; Speed of sound in aluminium is 6240 m/s )

Answer:

Here, let us assume the length of the rod be l .

Then,

Time taken by the sound wave in air:

(Given:vair=346 m/s)

Time=DistanceSpeed

tair=l346seconds

Time taken by the sound wave in Aluminium to reach from one end to the other end,

(Given:valuminium=6420 m/s)

taluminium=l6420seconds

Therefore, the ratio of the time taken by the sound wave in air and in aluminium will be:

tairtaluminium=l346l6420=6420346=18.551

Hence, the ratio is 18.55:1 .

Q8. The frequency of a source of sound is 100 Hz. How many times does it vibrate in a minute?

Answer:

Given the frequency of the sound wave is 100Hz.

Frequency is the number of oscillations per second.

So, 100Hz means that 100 oscillations are done in 1 second.

Thus, in a minute, the number of oscillations would be,

=100×60=6000

Q.9. Does sound follow the same laws of reflection as light does? Explain.

Answer:

Yes, the sound wave also follows the same laws of reflection as light does. Which are as follows:

(i) The angle of incidence of the sound wave and the angle of reflection of the sound wave to the normal is equal.

(ii) The incident sound wave, the reflected sound wave and the normal at the point of incidence, all lie in the same plane.

Q10. When a sound is reflected from a distant object, an echo is produced. Let the distance between the reflecting surface and the source of sound production remains the same. Do you hear echo sound on a hotter day?

Answer:

Listening to the sound of echo depends upon the time interval between the source of a sound and the reflecting sound which should be at least 0.1 seconds.

The speed of the sound increases with an increase in the temperature of the medium. Hence, on a hotter day, the time interval between the source sound and the reflected sound will decrease.

Therefore, we cannot listen to the echo unless the interval is greater than 0.1 seconds.

Q11. Give two practical applications of reflection of sound waves.

Answer:

Two practical applications of sound waves are :

(i) In the stethoscope, the sound of the patient's heartbeat reaches the doctor's ears by multiple reflections throughout the pipe of the stethoscope of sound.

(ii) Horns, megaphones or loudhailers are designed to send sound in a particular direction without spreading it in all directions. There is a conical opening which reflects the sound waves and guides most of the sound waves from the source.

Q12. A stone is dropped from the top of a tower 500 m high into a pond of water at the base of the tower. When is the splash heard at the top? Given,

g=10ms2 and speed of sound = 340ms1 .

Answer:

Given the height of the tower, s=500 m ,

and the velocity of the sound, v=340 m/s ,

Acceleration due to gravity, g=10 ms2

Let the initial velocity of the stone, u=0 , as the stone is initially at rest.

Let the time taken by the stone to fall to the base of the tower be t1

Now, according to the IInd Equation of Motion:

s=ut1+12gt12

500=0×t1+12×10×t12

t12=100

t1=10sec .

Now, the time taken by the sound to reach the top from the base of the tower,

t2=500340sec=1.47sec

Therefore, the splash is heard at the top after time, t

Calculating t=t1+t2=10+1.47=11.47sec.

Q13. A sound wave travels at a speed of 339ms1 . If its wavelength is 1.5 cm, what is the frequency of the wave? Will it be audible?

Answer:

Given,

The speed with which sound travels is 339ms1 .

and the wavelength is 1.5 cm.

Then we know the relation,

v=λ×ν

Where, v is velocity, λ is the wavelength, and ν is the frequency of the wave.

Hence,

ν=vλ=339 m/s0.015m=22600Hz.

Calculated frequency is out of audible range of human ears which is 20Hz to 20,000Hz.

Therefore, it is inaudible.

Q.14. What is reverberation? How can it be reduced?

Answer:

Reverberation is the repeated reflection after the source stops producing a sound which is also known as persistence of sound. When the wave reaches the wall of a room, it is partly reflected back from the wall. This reflected sound then reaches the other wall and again gets reflected partly. Due to this, sound can be heard even after the source has ceased to produce sound.

To reduce the reverberation, sound must have to be absorbed as it reaches the walls and the ceilings of a room. Materials like wood, fibreboard, rough plastic, heavy curtains, and some seats can be used to reduce the reverberations.

Q15. What is the loudness of sound? What factors does it depend on?

Answer:

Loudness is a physiological response of the ear to the intensity of sound which enables us to distinguish between a soft sound and a loud sound.

The loudness or softness of a sound is determined basically by its amplitude and loudness is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the vibrations.

Where greater the amplitude of vibrations, the louder the sound is produced.

Q16. How is ultrasound used for cleaning?

Answer:

The object to be cleaned is first put in the cleaning solution and then the ultrasonic waves are passed through that solution. The high-frequency ultrasonic waves are capable to remove the dirt from the objects very easily.

Q17. Explain how defects in a metal block can be detected using ultrasound.

Answer:

Ultrasounds can be used to detect cracks and flaws in metal blocks. Metallic components are generally used in the construction of big structures like buildings, bridges, machines and also scientific equipment. The cracks or holes inside the metal blocks, which are invisible from outside reduces the strength of the structure. Ultrasonic waves are allowed to pass through the metal block and detectors are used to detect the transmitted waves. If there is even a small defect, the ultrasound gets reflected back, indicating the presence of the flaw or defect, as shown

1651497440495

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Sound - Additional Questions

Q1. Explain the working and application of a sonar.

Answer:

Working of SONOR:

Sonar consists of a transmitter and a detector and is installed in a boat or a ship, as shown in Figure below:

1651497403142

The transmitter produces and transmits ultrasonic waves. These waves travel through water and, after striking the object on the seabed, get reflected back and are sensed by the detector. The detector converts the ultrasonic waves into electrical signals, which are appropriately interpreted. The distance of the object that reflected the sound wave can be calculated by knowing the speed of sound in water and the time interval between the transmission and reception of the ultrasound.

Applications of SONOR:

The sonar technique is used to determine the depth of the sea and to locate underwater hills, valleys, submarine, icebergs, sunken ship etc.

Q2. A sonar device on a submarine sends out a signal and receives an echo 5 s later. Calculate the speed of sound in water if the distance of the object from the submarine is 3625 m.

Answer:

Given the distance of the object is 3625 m from the submarine and the time taken is 5 seconds.

But the time gave includes of both journey downward and upward,

hence the time taken will be half of this time.

t=52sec

And as Speed=DistanceTime

Putting the values in the equation, we get

Speed=362552=1450 m/s

Therefore, the speed of sound is 1450 m/s.

Q3. Explain how bats use ultrasound to catch prey.

Answer:

Bats emits very high frequencies sounds from their mouth which when touches the prey, and gets reflected back to the bat. Then the bat detects these waves and estimates the distance and the direction of the prey.

Additional Questions

Q4. Explain how the human ear works.

Answer:

The outer ear is called the ‘pinna’. It collects the sound from the surroundings. The collected sound passes through the auditory canal. At the end of the auditory canal, there is a thin membrane called the eardrum or tympanic membrane. When compression of the medium reaches the eardrum the pressure on the outside of the membrane increases and forces the eardrum inward. Similarly, the eardrum moves outward when a rarefaction reaches it. In this way, the eardrum vibrates. The vibrations are amplified several times by three bones (the hammer, anvil, and stirrup) in the middle ear. The middle ear transmits the amplified pressure variations received from the sound wave to the inner ear. In the inner ear, the pressure variations are turned into electrical signals by the cochlea. These electrical signals are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, and the brain interprets them as sound.

1651497505835

Class 9 Science NCERT Chapter 11: Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions

Q1. Calculate the speed of sound waves in water and find the wavelength of a wave having a frequency of 242 Hz . (Take, Bwater =2×109 Pa )

Answer:

speed of sound waves.

V=Ba=2×109103V=2×106=1.414×1000=1414 m/s. wavelength, λ=Vfλ=1414242=5.84 m

Q.2 On average, a human heart is found to beat 85 times in a minute, calculate its time period.

Answer:

The beat frequency of the heart 85/1 min

=85/60=1.42 Hz


The period

T=1fT=11.42T=100142T=0.7043sec

Q.3 The velocity of sound in gas at 51°C is 340m/s. What will be the velocity of sound if pressure is doubled and temperature becomes 127°?

Answer:

Initial temperature:

T1=51C=(273+51)K=324K


Final temperature:

T2=127C=(273+127)K=400K


We know that cαT

c1c2=T1T2c2=c1T1T2=340400324=3402018=378 m/s

Q .4 If the temperature of the atmosphere is increased, the following character of the sound wave is affected
(a) Amplitude

(b) Frequency

(c) Velocity

(d) Wavelength

Answer:

As we learned

Effect of temperature on the speed of sound -

Pρ=RTMV=γRTM

wherein

VαT

T is in Kelvin

So velocity increases with an increase in temperature.
VαT

Hence, the answer is the option (3).

Q.5 Speed of sound at constant temperature depends on
(a) Pressure
(b) Density of gas
(c) Above both
(d) None of the above

Answer:

As we learned
Effect of Humidity on speed of sound -
With the increase in humidity, the density of air decreases. Now the speed of sound in air will increase.
wherein
Since

vα1ρρ= decreases v= increases 


The speed of sound doesn't depend upon the pressure and density of the medium at a constant temperature.

Approach to Solve Questions of Sound Class 9

Understand What Sound Is
Sound is energy which cause the hearing sensation.

Know the important Terms

  • Amplitude: Sound Loudness
  • Frequency: Vibrations per second (Hz)
  • Time Period: Time for one vibration
  • Wavelength: Distance between two rarefactions or compressions
  • Velocity of Sound: Speed = Wavelength × Frequency

Use the Formulas

  • Speed of sound (v)=f×λ
    (f=frequency,λ= wavelength)
  • Recall: Speed of sound varies with medium (more in solids, less in gases).

Learn Echo and Reverberation

  • Echo: Heard sound after reflection (minimum distance =17.2 m in air)
  • Reverberation: Successive reflection of sound in a room.

Practice Numerical Questions
Attempt NCERT textbook problems first, and then attempt extra problems to enhance your confidence.

Important Topics of NCERT Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Sound:

Subtopics for chapter 11, science class 9th are given below:

11.1 Production of Sound

11.2 Propagation of Sound

11.2.1 Sound Needs a Medium to Travel

11.2.2 Sound Waves are Longitudinal Waves

11.2.3 Characteristics of a Sound Wave

11.3 Reflection of Sound

11.3.1 Echo

11.3.2 Reverberation

11.3.3 Uses of Multiple Reflections of Sound

11.4 Range of Hearing

11.5 Applications of Ultrasound

11.5.1 Sonar

11.6 Structure of the Human Ear

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter-wise

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 - Subject Wise

Also Read,

Also Check NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus here:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the features of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Sound?

Class 9 NCERT science chapter has 17 exercise questions, solutions of these questions are explained in the NCERT solutions of Sound Class 9 chapter. All the questions are according to the CBSE NCERT syllabus of Class 9.

2. Where can I find more questions on Class 9 NCERT chapter Sound?

More questions on NCERT Class 9 chapter Sound can be solved from NCERT Exemplar questions for Class 9

3. What is the speed of sound in air and water?

The speed of sound in air is approximately 343 m/s at a temperature of 20°C. The speed of sound in water is much higher, around 1,500 m/s. The speed of sound in a medium depends on the density and elasticity of the medium.

4. What is the difference between noise and music?

Noise is a random sound that has no specific pitch or rhythm, while music is a structured arrangement of sounds that have a specific pitch, rhythm, and melody.

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A block of mass 0.50 kg is moving with a speed of 2.00 ms-1 on a smooth surface. It strikes another mass of 1.00 kg and then they move together as a single body. The energy loss during the collision is

Option 1)

0.34\; J

Option 2)

0.16\; J

Option 3)

1.00\; J

Option 4)

0.67\; J

A person trying to lose weight by burning fat lifts a mass of 10 kg upto a height of 1 m 1000 times.  Assume that the potential energy lost each time he lowers the mass is dissipated.  How much fat will he use up considering the work done only when the weight is lifted up ?  Fat supplies 3.8×107 J of energy per kg which is converted to mechanical energy with a 20% efficiency rate.  Take g = 9.8 ms−2 :

Option 1)

2.45×10−3 kg

Option 2)

 6.45×10−3 kg

Option 3)

 9.89×10−3 kg

Option 4)

12.89×10−3 kg

 

An athlete in the olympic games covers a distance of 100 m in 10 s. His kinetic energy can be estimated to be in the range

Option 1)

2,000 \; J - 5,000\; J

Option 2)

200 \, \, J - 500 \, \, J

Option 3)

2\times 10^{5}J-3\times 10^{5}J

Option 4)

20,000 \, \, J - 50,000 \, \, J

A particle is projected at 600   to the horizontal with a kinetic energy K. The kinetic energy at the highest point

Option 1)

K/2\,

Option 2)

\; K\;

Option 3)

zero\;

Option 4)

K/4

In the reaction,

2Al_{(s)}+6HCL_{(aq)}\rightarrow 2Al^{3+}\, _{(aq)}+6Cl^{-}\, _{(aq)}+3H_{2(g)}

Option 1)

11.2\, L\, H_{2(g)}  at STP  is produced for every mole HCL_{(aq)}  consumed

Option 2)

6L\, HCl_{(aq)}  is consumed for ever 3L\, H_{2(g)}      produced

Option 3)

33.6 L\, H_{2(g)} is produced regardless of temperature and pressure for every mole Al that reacts

Option 4)

67.2\, L\, H_{2(g)} at STP is produced for every mole Al that reacts .

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Option 1)

0.02

Option 2)

3.125 × 10-2

Option 3)

1.25 × 10-2

Option 4)

2.5 × 10-2

If we consider that 1/6, in place of 1/12, mass of carbon atom is taken to be the relative atomic mass unit, the mass of one mole of a substance will

Option 1)

decrease twice

Option 2)

increase two fold

Option 3)

remain unchanged

Option 4)

be a function of the molecular mass of the substance.

With increase of temperature, which of these changes?

Option 1)

Molality

Option 2)

Weight fraction of solute

Option 3)

Fraction of solute present in water

Option 4)

Mole fraction.

Number of atoms in 558.5 gram Fe (at. wt.of Fe = 55.85 g mol-1) is

Option 1)

twice that in 60 g carbon

Option 2)

6.023 × 1022

Option 3)

half that in 8 g He

Option 4)

558.5 × 6.023 × 1023

A pulley of radius 2 m is rotated about its axis by a force F = (20t - 5t2) newton (where t is measured in seconds) applied tangentially. If the moment of inertia of the pulley about its axis of rotation is 10 kg m2 , the number of rotations made by the pulley before its direction of motion if reversed, is

Option 1)

less than 3

Option 2)

more than 3 but less than 6

Option 3)

more than 6 but less than 9

Option 4)

more than 9

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