Sound Energy

Turn Up the Volume

In a Flash

Music is a form of sound energy

Shouting is a form of sound energy.

Sound energy

Sound is the movement of energy through a substance – like air or water – and is caused by vibrations. Solids, liquids and gases transmit sound as waves.

Burning Questions

What is sound energy?

Sound energy is the movement of energy through a substance in waves.

How does sound energy travel?

Sound energy travels in the form of waves. Unlike light energy, sound cannot travel through a vacuum, because there are no atoms to transmit the vibration.

Think of it like a Group Wave at a sports stadium.

Each person that continues the wave is like an atom passing on the vibration. No people means the Wave can't keep going – just like no atoms (such as in a vacuum) means sound waves can't keep moving.

Sound can be transmitted by solids, liquids and gases, as these all have atoms to pass on the vibrations.

How is sound energy produced?

Sound energy is produced when a force causes an object or substance to vibrate. The energy is then transferred through the substance in waves, called sound waves.

The Wave

Sound waves, like Group waves, can only travel if something passes the wave on

What are some examples of sound energy?

You can produce sound energy right now!

Here are some examples of how:

Talk or sing

Talk or sing

Clap your hands

Clap your hands

Stomp your feet

Stomp your feet

Play a musical instrument

Play a musical instrument

What Do You Mean?

Sound diagram

Music is a form of sound energy.

Sound energy is the movement of energy through a substance in waves.

A vacuum is a space that contains absolutely no matter.

Vibrations are what cause sound energy.

Cool Facts

Did you know that radio waves aren't actually sound energy? Even though they transmit information about sound, they are actually electromagnetic energy.

Speedy Summary

Light on planet surface

Vocal sound energy is created when expelled air from our lungs passes through the vocal folds.

Sound energy is the movement of energy through a substance – such as air or water – in the form of waves. It is produced when a force causes an object or substance to vibrate.

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