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💡 Sound that lingers
In a big hall, sound bounces again and again and seems to hang in the air — that is reverberation.
What is reverberation?
Reverberation
The persistence of sound from multiple reflections in a hall, when reflections arrive less than 0.05 s apart.
- Reverberation is the persistence of sound due to multiple reflections in a large hall.
- It occurs when reflections arrive with a time difference less than 0.05 s .
- Halls use soft, porous surfaces (panels, curtains, upholstered chairs) to control it.
Echo vs Reverberation
Echo
Reverberation
A single, clearly separated reflected sound
Many overlapping reflections that persist
Reflections arrive at least 0.1 s apart
Reflections arrive less than 0.05 s apart
Heard near cliffs, hills, large empty spaces
Heard in large halls and auditoriums
🧵 Threads of Curiosity
- Medieval architects designed monuments with deep acoustic insight.
- The Gol Gumbaz stands in Bijapur, Karnataka.
- Its famous Whispering Gallery has a remarkable design.
- Even a faint whisper is heard several times across the dome.
✅ Test Yourself
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What is an echo?
Show Answer
A sound heard again after reflecting off a distant hard surface. -
What minimum time gap lets two sounds be heard separately?
Show Answer
0.1 s. -
What is the minimum distance for hearing an echo in air?
Show Answer
About 17 m — half of 340× 0.1=34 m. -
What is reverberation?
Show Answer
Sound persisting from multiple reflections, arriving less than 0.05 s apart.
Important Definitions
- Reverberation — the persistence of sound due to repeated reflections in a large hall.
