sounds separated by a time interval of 0.
5s, are heard by the The time taken, t for the n claps is recorded and the
first man. If the speed of sound in air is 330ms-1, and that in speed of sound in air is calculated from;
the metal rail is 5280ms-1, find the distance between the
men. 𝟐(𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞) 𝟐𝐧𝐝
Solution: 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 = =
𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭
t1 − t 2 = 0.5
x x 2(distance) 2d 2nd
− = 0.5 For an echo; Speed = = t =
330 5280 time ( ) t
n
x = 176 m Where n is the number of claps (or sounds) made.
How sound waves travel through air Example: 1
- Sound waves are produced by the vibration of air A girl stands 34m away from a reflecting wall. She makes
particles. As air particles vibrate, the vibration, produce sound and hears an echo after 0.2 seconds. Find the velocity
energy which is transferred to the next particles that of sound.
also vibrate in the same direction as the sound wave. 2(distance)
- The next particle are so made to vibrate and in doing so, Speed =
time
they transfer their energy particles which also vibrate. 2d
Experiment to verify the laws of reflection of sound. V=
t
2 × 34
V=
0.2
V = 340 ms −1
Example: 2
A person standing 99m from a tall building claps his hands
and hears an echo after 0.6 seconds. Calculate the velocity
of sound in air.
2(distance)
Speed =
time
2d 2 × 99
XY is a hard plane surface, R is a closed tube and T is an V= = = 330 ms −1
Open tube. t 0.6
V = 330 ms −1
Put a ticking clock in tube R on a table and make it to
face a hard plane surface e.g. a wall. Example: 3
Put tube T near your ear and move it on either sides A gun was fired and an echo from a cliff was heard 8
until the ticking sound of the sound is heard loudly. seconds later. If the velocity of sound is 340m/s, how far
Measure angles i and r which are the angles of was the gun from the cliff?
incidence and reflection respectively. 2(distance)
From the experiment, sound is heard distinctly due to Speed =
time
reflection. 2d
Angle of incidence (i) and angle of reflection (r) are V=
t
equal and lie along XY in the same plane. 2d
This verifies the laws of reflection. 340 =
8
Note: Hard surfaces reflect sound waves while soft surface 2d = 340 × 8
absorb sound wave. 2d = 2720
d = 1360 m
Example: 4
ECHOES A student is standing between two walls. He hears the first
An echo is a reflected sound. Echoes are produced when echo after 2 seconds and then another after a further 3
sound moves to and fro from a reflecting surface e.g. a cliff seconds. If the velocity of sound is 330m/s, find the
wall. The time taken before an echo arrives depends on the distance between the walls.
distance away from the reflecting surface. 2d1 2d2
In order for a girl standing at a distance, d from a reflecting V= V=
t1 t2
surface to hear the echo; sound travels a distance of 2d.
Measurement of velocity of sound using an echo method 2d1 2d2
330 = ⇒ 2d1 = 660 330 = ⇒ 2d2 = 1650
2 5
d1 = 330 m d2 = 825 m
d d = d1 + d2
Two experimenters stand at a certain distance d from a d = 330 + 825
tall reflecting surface
One experimenter claps pieces of wood n times, while d = 1155m
the other starts the stop clock when the first sound is
heard and stops it when the last sound is heard.
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