When sound waves move from air to water, they undergo several changes due to the difference in properties between the two mediums. Here's what happens:
Change in Speed: Sound waves travel faster in water than in air. The speed of sound in air is approximately 343 meters per second at room temperature, while in water, it's about 1,482 meters per second. As the sound waves transition from air to water, they experience an increase in speed.
Change in Wavelength: The wavelength of sound waves also changes when they move from air to water. Wavelength is inversely proportional to the speed of sound in a medium. Since the speed of sound is higher in water than in air, the wavelength of the sound waves decreases as they transition from air to water.
Change in Frequency: The frequency of sound waves, which determines the pitch of the sound, remains constant as they pass from one medium to another. In other words, the number of oscillations or cycles per second remains the same. So, if a sound wave had a frequency of 440 Hz in air, it would have the same frequency of 440 Hz in water.
Change in Amplitude: The amplitude of sound waves can be affected by the transition from air to water. When sound waves move from a less dense medium (air) to a denser medium (water), they typically experience a decrease in amplitude. This phenomenon is called partial reflection, where some of the sound energy is reflected back into the original medium (air) while the rest is transmitted into the new medium (water).
Overall, the speed, wavelength, and amplitude of sound waves are the main properties that change as they move from air to water. These changes have significant implications for underwater acoustics and the behavior of sound in aquatic environments.