Yes, the amplitude of sound waves can change when they pass from one medium to another. The change in amplitude is primarily governed by the phenomenon known as wave reflection and transmission at the interface between two media.
When a sound wave encounters a boundary between two different media, such as air and water or air and a solid object, several things can happen:
Reflection: Some portion of the sound wave may be reflected back into the original medium. This results in a change in the direction of the wave, but the amplitude can also be affected. The amount of reflection depends on factors like the difference in acoustic impedance between the two media and the angle of incidence. If the boundary is highly reflective, a significant portion of the wave's energy can be reflected, resulting in a decrease in the amplitude of the transmitted wave.
Transmission: Another portion of the sound wave can transmit into the new medium. The transmitted wave will continue to propagate, but its amplitude may be different from the original wave due to factors such as the impedance mismatch between the media. The amplitude of the transmitted wave can be affected by absorption, dispersion, and other characteristics of the medium it enters.
Absorption: When sound waves pass from one medium to another, some of the energy carried by the wave can be absorbed by the new medium. This absorption results in a decrease in the amplitude of the wave. The amount of absorption depends on various factors, including the properties of the media involved and the frequency of the sound wave.
In summary, the amplitude of sound waves can change when they pass from one medium to another due to wave reflection, transmission, and absorption effects at the interface between the media.