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11.

00 Sound Energy:

The world we live in exists based on the various types of energy. This
energy exists in various forms. Energy basically can neither be created not be
destroyed. It can only be converted from one form to another. A simple device
like a fan involves various conversions of energy from one form to another. For
instance the electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy of the motor,
then into kinetic energy of the fan blades and then finally into the wind energy
which we receive as the output from the fan.

Sound energy basically is the form of energy, which is generated when
sound waves in the form of vibrations travel through any particular medium like
air or water. Sound energy can also be considered as one form or a subset of
mechanical energy. Sound energy is produced when any object vibrates and the
vibrations are passed on to the nearby air particles. One might not have the
touch and feel of sound energy but it is present. The sound energy usually travels
the least distance among all forms of energy. Sound energy is measured in terms
of decibels.

First let us see an illustration of how a sound energy works. Let us
consider an orchestra where there are many instruments played and for instance
consider a drum. When the drummer plays the drum it transfers the energy to
the air molecules nearby. This kinetic energy of the air molecules transfers the
sound energy our eardrums. Some day-to-day examples of sound energy can be
like an aeroplane taking off, a balloon bursting, breaks of vehicle screeching, a
cars horn, an ambulances siren, a bikes engine, radio, television etc.

Sound energy is basically the capability of the human ear on how it
perceives sound. The human ear is shaped to capture the sound waves as such.
The wider outer area of the human ear receives and collects the sound vibrations
from the nearby air molecules. The received sound energy is first amplified by
the outer ear and then it strikes the eardrum transmitting the sound energy to
the inner ear. Sound basically comprises of two component namely pitch and the
volume component. The auditory nerves present in the ear function accordingly
and take care of the pitch and volume components. The human ear is optimally
designed to interpret the incoming sound energy in the form of vibrations.

Nowadays sound energy is finding its application in a lot of areas. It is
widely used in areas like medicine, military etc. It is used for healing, ultrasound
imagery and treatment of cancer in medical field and as SONAR for military
purposes. Also there are a lot of researches happening in this area to increase te
use of sound energy in various fields.

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