Sound Important Questions class 9​ – AllexamPyqs

📅 Published on: 29.11.2025

Sound is an important chapter in Class 9 Science, and many conceptual as well as numerical questions are asked from it in school exams. Important questions generally focus on the nature of sound waves, differences between longitudinal and transverse waves, characteristics of sound such as amplitude, frequency, wavelength, time period, and speed. Students must also understand concepts like echo, reverberation, reflection of sound, and applications of ultrasound. Numerical questions related to speed of sound, echo distance, frequency–wavelength calculations, and time period are frequently asked in tests. Diagram-based questions on waveforms and real-life application-based questions like why we cannot hear sound on the Moon or how bats use ultrasonic waves are also very important. Practicing these questions helps strengthen understanding and improves scores in exams.

Sound Important Questions class 9 MCQs

Sound MCQs – Class 9

I. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Mechanical waves can be:

  • (a) longitudinal only
  • (b) transverse only
  • (c) both longitudinal and transverse
  • (d) neither longitudinal nor transverse
Correct option: (c) both longitudinal and transverse

2. A mechanical wave is produced through a medium:

  • (a) when particles of the medium vibrate
  • (b) due to heat
  • (c) due to light
  • (d) due to electricity
Correct option: (a) when particles of the medium vibrate

3. A mechanical wave should possess:

  • (a) speed
  • (b) amplitude
  • (c) wavelength
  • (d) both inertia and elasticity
Correct option: (d) both inertia and elasticity

4. The speed of sound is largest in:

  • (a) solid
  • (b) gas
  • (c) liquid
  • (d) vacuum
Correct option: (a) solid

5. The waves in rocks (i.e., earth) are of the form of:

  • (a) longitudinal elastic waves only
  • (b) transverse elastic waves only
  • (c) both longitudinal and transverse elastic waves
  • (d) none of these
Correct option: (c) both longitudinal and transverse elastic waves

6. Which one of the following statements is false:

  • (a) The speed of sound in air increases with temperature
  • (b) The speed of sound in air decreases with humidity
  • (c) The speed of sound in a medium is independent of the density of the medium
  • (d) The speed of sound in pressure has no effect on the speed of sound
Correct option: (c) The speed of sound in a medium is independent of the density of the medium

7. When a person is on Moon, he cannot hear the horn of a car. The correct explanation is:

  • (a) the density of moon atmosphere is low
  • (b) the speed of sound is high
  • (c) the speed of sound is low
  • (d) sound cannot travel in vacuum
Correct option: (d) sound cannot travel in vacuum

8. While travelling through air at a constant temperature, which one of the following remains unchanged:

  • (a) wavelength
  • (b) frequency
  • (c) amplitude
  • (d) speed
Correct option (taken for this set): (d) speed

9. The loudness of sound depends on its:

  • (a) wavelength
  • (b) frequency
  • (c) amplitude
  • (d) speed
Correct option: (c) amplitude

10. Pitch of a sound depends on its:

  • (a) amplitude
  • (b) periodicity and regularity
  • (c) wavelength
  • (d) frequency
Correct option: (d) frequency

11. Of the following, the one which emits sound of highest pitch is:

  • (a) lion
  • (b) dog
  • (c) frog
  • (d) mosquito
Correct option: (d) mosquito

12. Wavelength of ultrasonic waves in air is of the order of:

  • (a) 200 m
  • (b) 5 × 10⁻⁵ m
  • (c) 5 × 10⁻³ m
  • (d) 5 × 10⁻¹ m
Correct option (typical school level): (c) 5 × 10⁻³ m

13. A wave is travelling in air. If the wavelength is 5 m, the speed is:

  • (a) zero
  • (b) 500 m/s
  • (c) 400 m/s
  • (d) 300 m/s
Selected option (assuming f = 100 Hz): (b) 500 m/s

14. A sound wave goes from air into water; the quantity that remains unchanged is:

  • (a) wavelength
  • (b) velocity
  • (c) frequency
  • (d) amplitude
Correct option: (c) frequency

15. The audible sound of human beings:

  • (a) very low
  • (b) low
  • (c) medium
  • (d) very high
Chosen option: (c) medium

16. The wavelength of adult’s voice is 0.2 m; then the frequency of child’s voice is (higher pitched):

  • (a) 50 Hz
  • (b) 25 Hz
  • (c) 400 Hz
  • (d) 200 Hz
Plausible choice (higher pitch): (c) 400 Hz

17. A sound of frequency 5 Hz is:

  • (a) very loud
  • (b) inaudible
  • (c) low pitched
  • (d) moves very slowly
Correct option: (b) inaudible

18. The distance from crest to crest of any wave is:

  • (a) frequency
  • (b) amplitude
  • (c) wavelength
  • (d) time
Correct option: (c) wavelength

19. The speed of sound waves in air having frequency of 512 Hz is:

  • (a) 200 m/s
  • (b) 300 m/s
  • (c) 400 m/s
  • (d) twice as great
Chosen school-level value: (b) 300 m/s

20. The distance between two crests is 6 m. The speed of the wave is 360 m/s. The frequency is:

  • (a) 50 Hz
  • (b) 60 Hz
  • (c) 70 Hz
  • (d) 40 Hz
Correct option: (b) 60 Hz

21. A boat is rocked by waves whose crests are 2.5 m apart and reach the boat once every:

  • (a) 2.5 s
  • (b) 0.5 s
  • (c) 15 s
  • (d) 20 s
Plausible option: (b) 0.5 s

22. A man standing at one end of a valley hears an echo after 3 s. The distance of the cliff is:

  • (a) 1500 m
  • (b) 1000 m
  • (c) 2000 m
  • (d) 3000 m
Chosen option (given options): (a) 1500 m

23. Time period of the above disturbance is:

  • (a) 2 s
  • (b) 1 s
  • (c) 0.5 s
  • (d) 1.5 s
Selected option: (c) 0.5 s

24. Wavelength of the above disturbance is:

  • (a) 500 m
  • (b) 250 m
  • (c) 2000 m
  • (d) 3000 m
Selected option: (a) 500 m

25. Which one of the following is NOT a correct statement?

  • (a) Sound is produced by vibrating objects
  • (b) Sound travels as waves
  • (c) Sound waves can be produced in liquids
  • (d) Sound waves are longitudinal waves
Chosen as NOT fully correct (because solids also have transverse sound): (d) Sound waves are longitudinal waves

26. A freshwater dolphin sends ultrasound to locate prey. The distance to the prey is (approx.):

  • (a) 90 m
  • (b) 900 m
  • (c) 9 m
  • (d) 0.9 m
Plausible choice: (c) 9 m

27. When air temperature increases, the wavelength of sound in air:

  • (a) remains the same
  • (b) increases
  • (c) decreases
  • (d) increases four times
Correct option: (b) increases

28. A tuning fork vibrates with frequency of 256 Hz. If the temperature rises from 20°C, the speed of sound increases approximately by (per °C):

  • (a) 0.6 m
  • (b) 0.1 m
  • (c) 0.3 m
  • (d) 1 m
Correct approximate value: (a) 0.6 m (per °C)

29. Sound is produced by:

  • (a) Utilising
  • (b) Chemical energy
  • (c) Heat energy
  • (d) Vibrations
Correct option: (d) Vibrations

30. Which one of the following is correct statement?

  • (a) Sound cannot travel through solids
  • (b) Honey bee vibrates its wings 1000 times in a second
  • (c) —
  • (d) An ordinary housefly vibrates its wings about 60 times
Best correct option among these: (b) Honey bee vibrates its wings 1000 times in a second

31. The speed of sound in air = 340 m/s. The wavelength is about 0.17 m when the frequency is:

  • (a) 1000 Hz
  • (b) 3000 Hz
  • (c) 500 Hz
  • (d) 200 Hz
Closest option (from given): (b) 3000 Hz

32. A person observes an event repeating every 4 s. The frequency of the wave is:

  • (a) 0.25 Hz
  • (b) 0.5 Hz
  • (c) 0.75 Hz
  • (d) 1 Hz
Correct option: (a) 0.25 Hz

33. In the above question, the speed of the wave is:

  • (a) 4 m/s
  • (b) 2 m/s
  • (c) 0.4 m/s
  • (d) 0.8 m/s
Chosen option (data incomplete): (c) 0.4 m/s

34. A vibrating source produces sound; its frequency lies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

This is a true statement — such sound is called audible sound.

35. Which one of the following is NOT a correct statement?

  • (a) A sound wave with frequency of 15 Hz lies in the audible range
  • (b) Hearing is most accurate in the range of 1000–3000 Hz
  • (c) The threshold of hearing is 1 kHz
  • (d) At low intensity of 1 W/m², the sound is uncomfortably loud
Most clearly incorrect statement: (a) A sound wave with frequency of 15 Hz lies in the audible range

36. A dog can hear the upper limit of frequency up to:

  • (a) 20 Hz
  • (b) 20 kHz
  • (c) 25 kHz
  • (d) 30 kHz
Plausible textbook value: (d) 30 kHz

37. Ultrasounds are longitudinal waves whose frequencies are:

  • (a) Below 200 Hz
  • (b) 20–500 Hz
  • (c) 20 kHz to 500 kHz
  • (d) 2000 Hz to 4000 Hz
Correct option: (c) 20 kHz to 500 kHz

38. The time interval between the incident sound and the reflected sound to hear a distinct echo is:

  • (a) 0.01 s
  • (b) 0.001 s
  • (c) 0.1 s
  • (d) 0.2 s
Correct option (minimum for distinct echo): (c) 0.1 s

40. A sound is travelling at 583 m/s. If its wavelength is 1.5 cm, then:

  • (a) Its frequency is 20 Hz
  • (b) Its frequency is 2000 Hz
  • (c) Its frequency is 22600 Hz
  • (d) Its audible
Best matching option: (c) Its frequency is 22600 Hz

41. In the reflection of sound, which of the following is NOT a requirement?

  • (a) Rigid obstacle
  • (b) Smooth
  • (c) Long
  • (d) Hard
Correct option: (c) Long

42. In seas & oceans, sound waves produced by vibrating objects travel through:

  • (a) solids
  • (b) liquids
  • (c) gases
  • (d) none
Correct option: (b) liquids

43. The distance of the reflecting surface from the source is:

  • (a) 17.2 m
  • (b) 34.4 m
  • (c) 51.30 m
  • (d) 51.38 m
Typical echo-distance answer: (a) 17.2 m

II. Assertion–Reason Type Questions

Directions: Choose the correct option:
(i) Both A and R are true, and R is correct explanation of A
(ii) Both A and R are true, but R is not correct explanation of A
(iii) A is true, but R is false
(iv) A is false, but R is true

44. Assertion (A): Sound is produced due to vibrations of different objects.
Reason (R): Sound travels in vacuum.

A is true, R is false. Correct option: (iii) A is true, but R is false

45. Assertion (A): Sound energy is a form of energy.
Reason (R): It is the hearing response of the ear to the intensity of sound.

The reason describes loudness, not sound energy. Correct option: (iii) A is true, but R is false

46. Assertion (A): Noise is any event which gives meaning to the term loudness.
Reason (R): It is unpleasant effect on ear.

A is false, R correctly defines noise. Correct option: (iv) A is false, but R is true

47. Assertion (A): The frequency of wave satisfies pleasant effect.
Reason (R): The frequency never changes when wave is reflected on a hard surface.

Both are true, but R does not explain A. Correct option: (ii) Both A and R are true, but R is not correct explanation of A

48. Assertion (A): Waves are generally reflected by a soft surface.
Reason (R): Waves having frequency below 20 Hz are called infrasonic.

A is false (hard surfaces reflect better), R is true. Correct option: (iv) A is false, but R is true

49. Assertion: Longitudinal waves whose frequencies are below 20 Hz are called infrasonic.

This assertion is true — such waves are called infrasonic.

Sound Important Questions Class 9 (Most Expected)

1. Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)

Sound Important Questions Class 9 – 1 Mark

  • What is vibration?
  • Define frequency.
  • What is the unit of loudness?
  • Name the SI unit of speed of sound.
  • What is the time period?
  • What is the range of human hearing?
  • Which medium carries sound fastest?
  • Define ultrasonic sound.
  • What is the speed of sound in air at room temperature?
  • Which type of wave is sound?

⭐ 2. Short Answer Questions (2–3 Marks)

Sound Important Questions Class 9 – 3 Marks

  • What is echo? State the condition necessary for an echo to occur.
  • Distinguish between audible, inaudible, and ultrasonic sounds.
  • Explain the relation between frequency and pitch.
  • Why does sound travel faster in solids than in gases?
  • Explain amplitude. How does amplitude affect the loudness of sound?
  • What is rarefaction and compression?
  • Why is sound called a mechanical wave?
  • State two differences between noise and music.
  • Define sonic boom.
  • What happens to the sound waves when a ringing bell is placed inside a vacuum jar? Why?

⭐ 3. Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

Sound Important Questions Class 9 – 5 Marks

  1. Explain in detail how sound travels through a medium.
    • Use diagram
    • Compression & rarefaction
    • Longitudinal wave motion
  2. What is reverberation? How is it reduced in big halls and auditoriums?
  3. Explain the structure of the human ear and how we hear sound.
  4. Derive the formula for speed of sound and explain factors affecting it.
    • Temperature
    • Humidity
    • Nature of medium
  5. Explain the difference between frequency, time period, wavelength, pitch, and loudness with examples.

⭐ 4. Numerical Problems (Most Expected)

Sound Important Questions Class 9 – Numericals

  1. A sound wave has frequency 220 Hz and speed 330 m/s. Find its wavelength.
  2. Sound travels 340 m/s. How much time will it take to cover a distance of 850 m?
  3. A boy hears an echo after 0.4 s. Calculate the distance of the reflecting wall. (Speed of sound = 340 m/s)
  4. A wave has wavelength 2.5 m and frequency 200 Hz. Find its speed.

Conclusion

The above Sound Important Questions Class 9 cover all concepts that are frequently asked in school exams. If students practice these questions along with diagrams, definitions, and numericals, they can easily score full marks in the chapter. Focus more on frequency, amplitude, longitudinal waves, echo, and speed of sound numericals, as these are the examiner’s favourite topics.


FAQs – Sound Important Questions Class 9

Answer:

The most important topics in Sound Class 9 are pitch, loudness, frequency, echo, speed of sound, and the human ear diagram. These topics are repeatedly asked in exams and form the base for higher classes.

Answer:

Generally, 2–3 numericals are asked from the Sound chapter, depending on your school exam pattern. Most of them are based on the formula: Speed = Distance / Time or v = f × λ.

Answer:

Sound is a mechanical and longitudinal wave. It needs a material medium (like air, water, or solids) to travel and propagates in the form of compressions and rarefactions.

Answer:

The speed of sound in air at room temperature is approximately 340 m/s. It can slightly increase with higher temperature and humidity.

Answer:

Yes, the human ear diagram is a very important 5-mark question. You should practice both the labelled diagram and its explanation (outer ear, middle ear, inner ear and how sound is converted into nerve impulses).

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