Do quieter sounds travel at the same speed but for less distance?
In: 49
Through a given medium like air of a particular temperature and pressure, yes, however like others said it depends on the medium, and the frequency can have effects too. In particular, low frequency sounds can undergo a process called diffraction where they basically bend around obstacles while higher frequency sounds have to bounce more like a billiard ball. Thus, over long distances and past obstacles, lower frequency sounds may arrive first and have higher fidelity than high frequency sounds. Lower frequencies also sound subjectively quieter per a given dB level than high frequency sounds. This is why thunder sounds low and rumbly at first before the high frequency sounds arrive, a combination of diffraction and the sound actually conducting through the ground cause the low sound to get there early.
Latest Answers