Differences Between Echo and Reverberation, Also Learn Their Causes

Kapanlagi.com - In physics lessons, we are familiar with the terms echo and reverberation. Both are the result of sound waves propagating. Having the same origin, it is not uncommon for people to have difficulty distinguishing between echo and reverberation. However, although they both originate from sound waves, echo and reverberation are two different things. The difference between echo and reverberation lies in several aspects.

Actually, distinguishing between echo and reverberation is not difficult. One of the differences between echo and reverberation lies in their definitions. In fact, echo and reverberation have their own definitions. However, definitions are not the only distinguishing factors between reverberation and echo, there are still several other differences. What are they?

Summarized from various sources, here are some differences between echo and reverberation.

1. Understanding Echo and Reverberation

Echo is the reflection of sound that occurs after the sound source has finished speaking. The occurrence of an echo is triggered by the absence of barriers that obstruct the waves from the sound source.

On the other hand, reverberation is the reflection of sound that occurs even before the sound source has finished speaking. Reverberation occurs due to the presence of wave barriers that are close to the sound source.

2. Sound Clarity Level

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The difference between echo and reverberation lies in the level of sound clarity. Echo and reverberation are both imitations of the sound source. Although they both originate from sound waves, echo and reverberation have different levels of clarity.

An echo produced by reflection tends to have a clear sound. This is because the sound from the sound source is reflected quickly, resulting in a reflected sound that is as clear as the original sound.

In contrast, reverberation, which is created due to distance, tends to have unclear, interrupted, or incomplete sound. This is because the echo cannot keep up with the speed of the sound source. Therefore, the reflected sound is only fragmented.

3. The Emergence of Sound

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The difference between echo and reverberation lies in the timing of the sound. As mentioned earlier, reverberation occurs due to obstacles. Therefore, the appearance of the simulated sound will be slightly longer but clear. This is similar to what usually happens when we shout on a mountain.

On the other hand, an echo appears relatively faster. This is because the obstacle causes the sound waves to bounce back faster. In fact, even before the sound source is finished, the echo can already be heard. For example, when we shout in a narrow room. Our voice can bounce back before the sound is finished.

4. Utilization of Echo and Reverberation

In daily life, reverberation is actually used in several ways. One of them is to measure the depth of the sea. This is done by utilizing the property of reverberation that occurs without obstacles. So, the ship will send waves to the bottom of the sea. The process of sound wave propagation from the surface to the bottom will then be used as a reference for the depth of the sea.

If reverberation is used to measure the depth of the sea, echo often causes losses or problems. For example, the echo that occurs in the sound reflection in a cinema room. This will certainly be very disturbing, but no need to worry, problems like this can be overcome simply by installing soundproofing.

5. Properties of Sound

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Echoes and reverberations are one of the interesting phenomena. The occurrence of echoes and reverberations that reflect sound also shows that sound has several properties. What are they? Here is a brief description of the properties of sound or sound waves.

1. The presence of echoes and reverberations is evidence that sound waves can be reflected by obstacles.

2. The use of echoes to measure the depth of the sea proves that sound waves can also be propagated. Not only through the medium of water, sound waves can also propagate through other media that are liquid, solid, and gas. However, sound waves cannot propagate in a vacuum.

3. Sound waves can also be refracted. One example can be seen in the difference in thunder sound during the day and at night. The hotter daytime air temperature makes the sound of thunder louder compared to at night.

Those are some explanations about the differences between echoes and reverberations in several aspects. Hopefully, it is useful and can make you understand better, so that you won't confuse echoes and reverberations again!

(kpl/psp)