Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 1

A sound wave travels through a liquid with a density of ρ = 1235kg/m3. As it passes, the
displacement of the particles making up the medium from their equilibrium positions is
described by:
𝑠𝑠(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 8.42 cos(4.57𝑥𝑥 − 6770𝑡𝑡) nm.
In this equation x is in m and t is in s.

Part 1)
What is the speed of the sound wave through the medium?

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝜔𝜔
=
𝑘𝑘
6670
=
4.57
= 1460 m/s

Part 2)
What is the bulk modulus of the medium?

𝜔𝜔
𝑣𝑣 =
𝑘𝑘
𝐵𝐵
=�
𝜌𝜌

𝐵𝐵 𝜔𝜔
� =
𝜌𝜌 𝑘𝑘
𝜌𝜌𝜔𝜔2
𝐵𝐵 =
𝑘𝑘 2
1235 × 67702
=
4.572
= 2.71 × 109 Pa

Part 3)
Write down an expression to describe how the pressure varies with distance and time.

∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝐵𝐵𝑠𝑠max 𝑘𝑘 sin(𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 − 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔)

= 2.71 × 109 × 8.42 × 10−9 × 4.57 sin(4.57𝑥𝑥 − 6770𝑡𝑡)
= 104 sin(4.57𝑥𝑥 − 6770𝑡𝑡) Pa
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 2

A killer whale moving with a speed of 10.814 m/s chases a seal swimming at 3.401 m/s
through the ocean. The killer whale emits a sound with a frequency of 9.695 kHz. The speed
of sound in the ocean is 1488 m/s.

Part 1)
What frequency does the seal detect coming from the killer whale?

𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉0
𝑓𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠
1488 − 3.401
= 9.695 � �
1488 − 10.814
= 9.744 kHz

Part 2)
The signal is reflected off the seal back to the killer whale. What frequency does the killer
whale detect?

Treat the seal as the source for this part, the seal reflects the sound with the frequency you
calculated in the first part. The killer whale is now the observer so:
𝑉𝑉 + 𝑉𝑉0
𝑓𝑓 ′′ = 𝑓𝑓′ � �
𝑉𝑉 + 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠
where f’ is the frequency in the first part, V0 is the killer whale’s speed and Vs is the seal's
speed.
1488 + 10.814
𝑓𝑓 ′′ = 9.744 � �
1488 + 3.401
= 9.792 kHz

Part 3)
If the killer whale and seal are initially 230.3 m apart, how long until the killer whale catches
up to the seal?

distance
time =
speed
230.3
=
10.814 − 3.401
= 31.07 s
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 3

A frequency of 669 Hz is played through some headphones above a tube which is emerging
from a bucket of water as shown in Figure 1. The length of the tube above the water is
slowly increased. The first resonance is heard when 11.80 cm of the tube are above the
water, and the second resonance when 37.9 cm are above the water.

Figure 1: Diagrammatic representation of a set of headphones playing music above a tube

that is emerging from a bucket of water.

Part 1)
What is the speed of sound?

To answer this question, you need to account for end effects (Figure 2). The first resonance
𝜆𝜆 3𝜆𝜆
is heard when = 𝑙𝑙1 + 𝑒𝑒 and the second resonance is heard when = 𝑙𝑙2 + 𝑒𝑒. We can solve
4 4
these simultaneously to find λ by subtracting the first equation from the second to obtain:
3𝜆𝜆 𝜆𝜆
− = (𝑙𝑙2 + 𝑒𝑒) − (𝑙𝑙1 + 𝑒𝑒 )
4 4
𝜆𝜆
= 𝑙𝑙2 − 𝑙𝑙1
2
𝜆𝜆 = 2(𝑙𝑙2 − 𝑙𝑙1 )

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
= 𝑓𝑓 × 2(𝑙𝑙2 − 𝑙𝑙1 )
= 669 × 2 × (0.379 − 0.118)
= 349 m/s
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Part 2)
What is the size of the end effects?

𝜆𝜆
= 𝑙𝑙1 + 𝑒𝑒
4
𝜆𝜆
𝑒𝑒 = − 𝑙𝑙1
4
2(𝑙𝑙2 − 𝑙𝑙1 )
= − 𝑙𝑙1
4
𝑙𝑙2 − 3𝑙𝑙1
=
2
37.9 − 3 × 11.8
=
2
= 1.25 cm

Part 3)
What is the next length for which you will hear a resonance?

Next resonance would be the 5th harmonic.

5𝜆𝜆
𝐿𝐿 + 𝑒𝑒 =
4
5𝜆𝜆
𝐿𝐿 = − 𝑒𝑒
4
5 × 2(𝑙𝑙2 − 𝑙𝑙1 )
= − 𝑒𝑒
4
5(37.9 − 11.8)
= − 1.25
2
= 64 cm
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 4

Two sources, S1 and S2, are spaced a distance 2L apart, where L = 1.08 m (Figure 1). They
emit sound waves isotropically and in phase, each with a power P = 46.5 W. A wall is a
distance L away from the sources. There is a hole in the wall halfway between the two
sources with a cross-sectional area A = 14.9 cm2.

Figure 1: Schematic of two sound sources, S1 and S2, spaced a distance 2L apart, emitting
sound waves isotropically and in phase. A wall is distance L away from the sources and there
is a hole in the wall halfway between the two sources with a cross-sectional area A.

Part 1)
Initially only one source, S1, is on. What is the intensity of S1 at the hole in the wall?

Intensity is related to power through:

power
𝐼𝐼 =
area
As the sound spreads out isotropically, it spreads itself over the surface of a sphere, so area
= 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2 , the surface area of a sphere. The hole in the wall is 𝑟𝑟 = √𝐿𝐿2 + 𝐿𝐿2 = √2𝐿𝐿 m from
the source, so
𝑃𝑃
𝐼𝐼 = 2
4𝜋𝜋�√2𝐿𝐿�
46.5
= 2
4𝜋𝜋�√2 × 1.08�
= 1.59 W/m2
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Part 2)
When only source S1 is on, what is the rate of energy flow, power, through the hole in the
wall?

The fraction of the power passing through a hole with cross-sectional area A, a distance r
from the source will be:
𝐴𝐴
𝑃𝑃through hole = 𝑃𝑃source ×
4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2
14.9 × 10−4
= 46.5 × 2
4𝜋𝜋�√2 × 1.08�
= 0.00236 W

Part 3)
The amplitude of the wave from one of the speakers at a distance L is given by SL. What is
the amplitude of the resultant wave when both speakers are on at the hole? Give an
expression in terms of SL.

The power passing through a spherical surface a distance L from S1 is the same as the power
passing through the spherical surface at a distance √2L (ie, at the hole) from S1. Example:

This implies
1 1
𝑃𝑃 = 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜔𝜔2 𝑆𝑆𝐿𝐿2 (4𝜋𝜋𝐿𝐿2 ) = 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜔𝜔2 𝑆𝑆hole 2 2
1 �4𝜋𝜋(√2𝐿𝐿) �
2 2
where Shole is the amplitude from source 1, giving:
2
𝑆𝑆𝐿𝐿2 = 2𝑆𝑆hole 1
1
𝑆𝑆hole 1 = 𝑆𝑆𝐿𝐿
√2
But S1 and S2 are both on. They are in phase and so add constructively giving:
𝑆𝑆hole = 𝑆𝑆hole 1 + 𝑆𝑆hole 2
1 1
= 𝑆𝑆𝐿𝐿 + 𝑆𝑆𝐿𝐿
√2 √2
= √2𝑆𝑆𝐿𝐿
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 5

A source produces sound that spreads out isotropically through a gas in three dimensions.
The density of the gas is 1.160 kg/m3. At a point 9.02 m from the source, the displacement
of the particles making up the gas from their equilibrium positions is given by:
𝑠𝑠(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 5.45 cos(5.55𝑥𝑥 − 1940𝑡𝑡) nm.

Part 1)
What is the bulk modulus of the gas?

𝜔𝜔 𝐵𝐵
𝑣𝑣 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = =�
𝑘𝑘 𝜌𝜌

𝐵𝐵 𝜔𝜔
� =
𝜌𝜌 𝑘𝑘
𝜌𝜌𝜔𝜔2
𝐵𝐵 = 2
𝑘𝑘
1.160 × 19402
=
5.552
= 1.42 × 105 Pa

Part 2)
On average, what is the power output of the source?

1
𝑃𝑃 = 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜔𝜔2 𝐴𝐴𝑠𝑠max
2
2
1
= 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜔𝜔2 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2 𝑠𝑠max
2
2
1 1940
= × 1.160 × × 19402 × 4𝜋𝜋 × 9.022 × (5.45 × 10−9 )2
2 5.55
= 2.32 × 10−5 W

Part 3)
At this same point, what is the maximum change in pressure experienced by the particles
making up the gas due to the wave?

∆𝑃𝑃max = 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝑠𝑠max
1940
= 1.160 × × 1940 × 5.45 × 10−9
5.55
= 0.00429 Pa
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 6

To demonstrate the Doppler effect, your lecturer puts a tone generator playing a 707 Hz
tone in a ball tied to a rope and swings it around. As it swings, you hear a maximum
frequency of 727 Hz from your seat in the middle of the large lecture hall. Assume the speed
of sound through the air is 343 m/s.

Part 1)
What speed is the ball moving at?

You will hear the maximum frequency as the ball approaches you. This is given by
𝑣𝑣
𝑓𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑓 � �.
𝑣𝑣 − 𝑣𝑣𝑠𝑠
You can use this to solve for vs, the speed of the source.
𝑣𝑣 − 𝑣𝑣𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑓
=
𝑣𝑣 𝑓𝑓′
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣𝑠𝑠 = 𝑣𝑣 −
𝑓𝑓′
707 × 343
= 343 −
727
= 9.44 m/s

Part 2)
What is the minimum frequency you hear as the ball is swung?

You will hear the minimum frequency when the ball (source) is moving away from you.
𝑣𝑣
𝑓𝑓min = 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝑣𝑣 + 𝑣𝑣𝑠𝑠
343
= 707 � �
343 + 9.44
= 688 Hz

Part 3)
You measure the time between when you hear the maximum and minimum frequency to be
0.400 s. What is the radius of the ball’s circular path?

The time between maximum and minimum frequency is half a period (in one period, it goes
from a maximum to a minimum and back to maximum).
2𝜋𝜋
𝑣𝑣 = 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 = × 𝑟𝑟
𝑇𝑇
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝑟𝑟 =
2𝜋𝜋
2 × 0.400 × 9.44
=
2𝜋𝜋
= 1.20 m
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 7

A metal rod with a length L = 186.9 cm is clamped x = 46.7 cm from one end (Figure 1). It is
then vibrated longitudinally with a variable frequency source. The speed of sound in the rod
is 4101 m/s.

Figure 1: A metal rod of length L clamped at x cm from one end.

Part 1)
For this configuration, what is the longest possible wavelength for a standing wave that can
be set up?

The clamp in the rod forces a node at the clamped point. The longest standing wave will
𝜆𝜆
have an antinode at the end, will fit into the short end of the rod.
4
186.9 ÷ 46.7 = 4

𝐿𝐿 = 4𝜆𝜆 ÷ 4
𝜆𝜆 = 187 cm

Part 2)
What frequency is the frequency source set to for this note?

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣
𝑓𝑓 =
𝜆𝜆
4101
=
1.87
= 2190 Hz

Part 3)
Assume that the rod cannot be clamped at its ends. How far from the left end should the
rod be clamped to set up the standing wave with the longest possible wavelength?

To have the longest possible wavelength the node would need to be in the middle of the rod
𝐿𝐿
𝑥𝑥 =
2
187
=
2
= 93.5 cm
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 8

A diver underwater sees a dolphin swimming towards him with a speed of 9.656 m/s. The
diver gets excited and swims towards the dolphin with a speed of 15.797 m/s. The dolphin
sees the diver and emits a call with a frequency of 39.38 kHz. Assume that the speed of
sound through the water is 1530 m/s.

Part 1)
What frequency does the diver detect coming from the dolphin?

𝑐𝑐 + 𝑣𝑣0
𝑓𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝑐𝑐 − 𝑣𝑣𝑠𝑠
1530 + 15.797
= 39.38 � �
1530 − 9.656
= 40.04 Hz

Part 2)
The sound is reflected off the diver back to the dolphin. What frequency does the dolphin
detect?

𝑐𝑐 + 𝑣𝑣0
𝑓𝑓 ′′ = 𝑓𝑓′ � �
𝑐𝑐 − 𝑣𝑣𝑠𝑠
1530 + 9.656
= 40.04 � �
1530 − 15.797
= 40.71 Hz

Part 3)
If the dolphin and diver swim at a constant speed and are 317.2 m apart when the diver
reaches 15.797 m/s, how long until they meet?

𝑑𝑑
𝑡𝑡 =
𝑣𝑣
317.2
=
15.797 + 9.656
= 12.46 s
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 9

On a certain day, the speed of sound is 334 m/s. A frequency of 730 Hz is played near an
open pipe. The length of the pipe can be adjusted.

Part 1)
What length should the pipe be set to in order to hear the 7th harmonic?

7𝜆𝜆
𝐿𝐿 =
2
2𝐿𝐿
𝜆𝜆 =
7

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2𝐿𝐿
𝑣𝑣 = 𝑓𝑓 ×
7
7𝑣𝑣
𝐿𝐿 =
2𝑓𝑓
7 × 334
=
2 × 730
= 1.60 m

Part 2)
In reality there are end effects. These can be approximated as 0.600 × r where r is the radius
of the pipe at each open end. The antinode occurs this distance outside the pipe. The pipe in
this question has a radius 5.28 cm. What length should the pipe really be in order to hear
the 7th harmonic?

𝐿𝐿 + 2𝑒𝑒 = 1.6
𝐿𝐿 = 1.6 − 2𝑒𝑒
= 1.6 − 2 × 0.6 × 0.0528
= 1.54 cm
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Part 3)
What is the fundamental frequency when the pipe is set to this length? (The length found in
the second part.)

𝜆𝜆
𝐿𝐿 =
2
𝜆𝜆 = 2𝐿𝐿

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣
𝑓𝑓 =
𝜆𝜆
𝑣𝑣
=
2𝐿𝐿
334
=
2 × 1.6
= 104 Hz

Or
For the nth harmonic, there are n half wavelengths in the length l + 2e (l is the length of the
pipe and e is the end correction at one end.) For the fundamental there is one half
wavelength in this same length. So:
𝜆𝜆1 = 𝑛𝑛𝜆𝜆𝑛𝑛
As v does not change and 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑓𝑓𝜆𝜆, we have
𝑓𝑓𝑛𝑛
𝑓𝑓1 =
𝑛𝑛
730
=
7
= 104 Hz
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 10

A block with mass of m = 1.71 kg is attached to springs with spring constants of k1 = 15.6
N/m and k2 = 25.3 N/m, in different configurations shown in the figures below. Assume in all
of these cases that friction is negligible.

Part 1)
In this situation the mass is connected between the two springs which are each connected
to opposite walls (Figure 1). If the mass is displaced x = 17.9 cm to the right of its equilibrium
position, what is the net force acting on the mass? Take to the right as positive.

Figure 1: A mass, m, connected to opposite walls via two springs on opposite sides with
spring constants of k1 and k2. The positive direction of displacement is to the right of the
mass, i.e. in the direction of the second spring.

In this case, both springs are pulling it back towards its equilibrium position. The force in
both springs can be calculated using F = - kx. These two forces need to be added together to
give
𝐹𝐹 = −𝑘𝑘1 𝑥𝑥 − 𝑘𝑘2 𝑥𝑥
= −15.6 × 0.179 − 25.3 × 0.179
= −7.32 N to the right

Part 2)
What is the period of the oscillations when the mass is released?

The masses will undergo simple harmonic motion as the force is directed back towards the
equilibrium position and is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium. Thus 𝑎𝑎 =
−𝜔𝜔2 𝑥𝑥.
𝐹𝐹 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
−𝑘𝑘1 𝑥𝑥 − 𝑘𝑘2 𝑥𝑥 = −𝑚𝑚𝜔𝜔2 𝑥𝑥
𝑘𝑘1 + 𝑘𝑘2
𝜔𝜔2 =
𝑚𝑚
𝑘𝑘1 + 𝑘𝑘2
𝜔𝜔 = �
𝑚𝑚

2𝜋𝜋 𝑘𝑘1 + 𝑘𝑘2

=�
𝑇𝑇 𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝑇 = 2𝜋𝜋�
𝑘𝑘1 + 𝑘𝑘2
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

1.71
= 2𝜋𝜋�
15.6 + 25.3
= 1.28 s

Part 3)
The two springs are now both on the same side of m and both connect m to a single wall
(Figure 2). What is the period of these oscillations?

Figure 2: A mass, m, connected on its left-hand side to a single wall via two springs on the
same side with spring constants of k1 and k2.

Start by working out the force when the mass is displaced a distance x from the origin. In
this case, both springs pull it back towards equilibrium and
𝐹𝐹tot = −𝑘𝑘1 𝑥𝑥 − 𝑘𝑘2 𝑥𝑥.
From this we can see that the situation in terms of forces is the same as the first situation.
The period is given by the same expression
𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝑇 = 2𝜋𝜋�
𝑘𝑘1 + 𝑘𝑘2
= 1.28 s
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 11

Cicadas are loud flying insects that emerge en masse. Imagine you measure the sound level
of a single male cicada to be 89.3 dB when your sound meter is 0.834 m from it. Only male
cicadas make such loud noises. It is actually possible for cicadas to damage your hearing.

Part 1)
What is the intensity of the sound produced by the cicada?

𝐼𝐼
𝛽𝛽 = 10 log10 � �
𝐼𝐼0
𝐼𝐼
10𝛽𝛽/10 =
𝐼𝐼0
𝐼𝐼 = 𝐼𝐼0 10𝛽𝛽/10
= 10−12 × 1089.3/10
= 8.51 × 10−4 W/m2

Part 2)
What would be the sound level detected if you doubled the distance between the sound
meter and the cicada?
power
As intensity = and the area over which the sound is spread will be equal to 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2 ,
area
doubling the distance from the cicada will result in 1/4 of the intensity. You can use this to
calculate the sound level in dB.
𝐼𝐼 = 8.51 × 10−4 ÷ 4

8.51 × 10−4 ÷ 4
𝛽𝛽 = 10 log10 � �
10−12
= 83.3 dB

Part 3)
Imagine now that there are 9 male cicadas, all 0.834 m from the sound meter, with identical
songs. What sound level does the meter read?

Each cicada contributes equally to the intensity. Use:

𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
𝛽𝛽 = 10 log10 � �
𝐼𝐼0
where n is the number of cicadas and I is the intensity of a single cicada.
9 × 8.51 × 10−4
𝛽𝛽 = 10 log10 � �
10−12
= 98.8 dB
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 12

A hanging mass of mass m is hung over a pulley of radius R and mass M with a massless,
extensionless string to a light spring with spring constant k which is attached to a wall
(Figure 1). There is a tension T1 in the string between the spring and pulley and T2 between
1
the pulley and the hanging mass. The moment of inertia of a disk is 𝐼𝐼disk = 𝑀𝑀𝑅𝑅2 .
2

Figure 1: A mass hanging by a massless and extensionless string over a pulley of mass M and
radius R. The string is joined to a spring with a spring constant k and the spring is attached
to a wall. The string between the spring and the pulley has a tension of T1 and the string
between the pulley and the mass has a tension of T2.

Part 1)
Write down an expression for the net force on the hanging mass in terms of the variables
given in the question and any constants you need.

𝐹𝐹net = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
= 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 − 𝑇𝑇2 downwards

Part 2)
Use Newton’s second law for rotation to write an expression for the net torque on the
pulley in terms of the variables given in the question.

You need to sum the torques. 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑟𝑟 × 𝐹𝐹 in this case, r = R and the forces are tensions, these
are a tangent to the disk, so sin 𝜃𝜃 = 1. The tensions act in opposite directions so
� 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑅𝑅𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑅𝑅𝑇𝑇1
= 𝑅𝑅(𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1 )
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Part 3)
The tension T1 must balance the force from the spring. Use this along with the expression
you have derived to come up with an expression for the acceleration a when the hanging
mass is pulled a distance x away from its equilibrium position. This will cause the system to
oscillate with simple harmonic motion, with 𝑎𝑎 = −𝜔𝜔2 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥0 ) (where x0 is the equilibrium
extension). Use 𝜔𝜔 = 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 to find the period.

If k = 80.56 N/m, R = 3.29 cm, m=0.995 kg and M = 0.464 kg, what is the period for the
oscillations?

We have
𝑇𝑇1 = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑎 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 − 𝑇𝑇2
1
𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 𝑅𝑅(𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1 )
2
Solving these simultaneously:
1
𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1
2
= 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 − 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 − 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
1
𝑎𝑎 � 𝑀𝑀 + 𝑚𝑚� = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 − 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
2
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 − 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑎𝑎 =
1
2 𝑀𝑀 + 𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
= −
1 1
2 𝑀𝑀 + 𝑚𝑚 2 𝑀𝑀 + 𝑚𝑚
We were told that 𝑎𝑎 = −𝜔𝜔2 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥0 ), so
𝑘𝑘
𝜔𝜔2 =
1
2 𝑀𝑀 + 𝑚𝑚
1
� 𝑀𝑀 + 𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝑇1 = 2𝜋𝜋 2
𝑘𝑘
1
� × 0.464 + 0.995
= 2𝜋𝜋 2
80.56
= 0.775 s
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 13

A sound wave passes along a cylinder with a cross sectional area of 12.6 cm2. 3.95 m along
the cylinder, the intensity of the sound is measured and found to be 1.70 mW/m2 (mW is
milliwatts). The sound is generated by moving a piston at the end of the cylinder with simple
harmonic motion described by 0.865 × 10−4 cos(0.110𝑥𝑥 − 35.6𝑡𝑡) m.

Part 1)
What is the average power output of the piston?

The average power output of the piston is the same as the average power carried by the
wave.
poweravg
𝐼𝐼 =
𝐴𝐴
poweravg = 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
= 1.70 × 10−3 × 12.6 × 10−4
= 2.14 × 10−6 W

Part 2)
What is the density of the gas in the tube?

1
𝑃𝑃 = 2
𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜔𝜔2 𝐴𝐴𝑠𝑠max
2
2𝑃𝑃
𝜌𝜌 = 2 2
𝑣𝑣𝜔𝜔 𝐴𝐴𝑠𝑠max
2𝑃𝑃
=
35.6 2 −4 −4 2
0.110 × 35.6 × 12.6 × 10 × (0.865 × 10 )
= 1.11 kg/m3

Part 3)
What is the sound level of the wave at 3.95 m? Assume that the wave is not losing energy as
it passes along the tube.

𝐼𝐼
𝛽𝛽 = 10 log10 � �
𝐼𝐼0
1.7 × 10−3
= 10 log10 � �
10−12
= 92.3 dB
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 14

A bullet is shot horizontally with a speed of 399 m/s at a height of 1.75 m above a person’s
ears. The temperature of the air is 31.7°C. You can assume that the speed of sound in air is
331 m/s when the air is 0°C.

Part 1)
What is the speed of sound in air in this case?

𝑇𝑇𝑐𝑐
𝑣𝑣 = 331�1 +
273

31.7
= 331�1 +
273
= 350 m/s

Part 2)
What is the Mach number of this bullet?

Mach number = 399 ÷ 350

= 1.14

Part 3)
What horizontal distance will the bullet have travelled from them when the person hears
the shock wave?

Draw a diagram:

𝑣𝑣
sin 𝜃𝜃 =
𝑣𝑣𝑠𝑠
𝑣𝑣
𝜃𝜃 = sin−1
𝑣𝑣𝑠𝑠
350
= sin−1
399
= 61.3°

ℎ
𝑥𝑥 =
tan 𝜃𝜃
1.75
=
tan 61.3
= 0.962 m
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 15

A person stands in an open space listening to the sound from two speakers (Figure 1). The
speakers are driven from the same source and produce sound in phase with a frequency 459
Hz. The speakers are 3.00 m apart and a person stands at X, 1.00 m in front of S1 so that the
line joining X and S1 is perpendicular to the line joining S1 and S2. The speed of sound in air is
340 m/s.

Figure 1: Diagrammatic representation of a person standing in an open space in position X

listening to sound from two speakers, S1 and S2. The speakers are 3.00 m apart and the
person is 1.00 m in front of the first speaker. The line between S1 and S2 is perpendicular to
the line between S1 and X.

Part 1)
What is the path difference between sound coming from speaker S_1 and sound coming
from speaker S2?

path difference = path2 − path1

= �32 + 12 − 1
= √10 − 1
= 2.16 m
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Part 2)
What is the phase difference between the sound coming from S1 and S2? Give a number in
radians between 0 and 2𝜋𝜋.

path difference
phase difference = × 2𝜋𝜋
𝜆𝜆
path difference
= × 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
𝑣𝑣
√10 − 1
= × 2𝜋𝜋 × 459
340
= 18.34

phase difference = 18.34 − 4𝜋𝜋

= 5.77 radians

Part 3)
The person (starting at X) now starts to walk away from the speaker S1 along the line which
is perpendicular to the line joining S1 and S2. How far from S1 will the person be when they
hear the first maximum in sound intensity?

The sound will have maximum intensity when it is in phase. This will occur when the path
difference is an integer number of wavelengths.
�32 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
At X, the path difference is between 2 and 3 wavelengths, walking away from X the first
maximum will occur when the path difference is 2𝜆𝜆.
�32 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
𝑣𝑣
�32 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 = 2
𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣
�32 + 𝑥𝑥 2 = 2 + 𝑥𝑥
𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣 2 𝑣𝑣
3 + 𝑥𝑥 = 4 2 + 4 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 2
2 2
𝑓𝑓 𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣 𝑣𝑣 2
4 𝑥𝑥 = 9 − 4 2
𝑓𝑓 𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣 2
9−4 2
𝑓𝑓
𝑥𝑥 = 𝑣𝑣
4 𝑓𝑓
4𝑣𝑣 2
9𝑓𝑓 − 𝑓𝑓
=
4𝑣𝑣
9 × 459 − 4 × 3402 ÷ 459
=
4 × 340
= 2.30 m
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 16

As a sound wave passes through a solid, the pressure variation is described by:
∆𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 66.4 sin(0.430𝑥𝑥 − 4580𝑡𝑡) Pa.

Part 1)
What is the speed of the wave?

𝜔𝜔
𝑣𝑣 =
𝑘𝑘
4590
=
0.430
= 107000 m/s

Part 2)
For this solid, B = 188 GPa. What is the density of the material?

𝐵𝐵
𝑣𝑣 = �
𝜌𝜌

𝐵𝐵 𝜔𝜔
� =
𝜌𝜌 𝑘𝑘
𝐵𝐵𝑘𝑘 2
𝜌𝜌 =
𝜔𝜔 2
188 × 109 × 0.4302
=
45802
= 1660 kg/m3

Part 3)
Write an expression to describe the displacement of the particles in the medium from the
equilibrium positions as the wave passes through.

When the pressure is described by ∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝐵𝐵𝑠𝑠max 𝑘𝑘 sin(𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 − 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔) the displacement is given by
𝑠𝑠(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 𝑠𝑠max cos(𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 − 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔).
𝐵𝐵𝑠𝑠max 𝑘𝑘 = 66.4
66.4
𝑠𝑠max =
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
66.4
=
0.430 × 188 × 109
= 8.21 × 10−10 m
= 0.821 nm

∴ 𝑠𝑠(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 0.821 cos(0.430𝑥𝑥 − 4580𝑡𝑡) nm

Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

Question 17

A cyclist ringing a bell with a frequency of 757 Hz rides towards a wall (Figure 1). The wall
reflects the note back towards the cyclist. A sound meter detects a beat frequency of 34.0
Hz between the bell and the reflected tone as the cyclist rides. Assume the speed of sound
in air is 338 m/s.

Figure 1: A cyclist with a bell riding towards a brick wall. The cyclist rings the bike’s bell and
the note is reflected off of the wall.

Part 1)
What frequency does the cyclist hear reflected from the wall?

𝑓𝑓reflected = 757 + 34
= 791 Hz

Part 2)
What is the cyclist’s speed?

As this is a Doppler effect question involving the reflection of wave, it is best to do it in two
parts:
1) To calculate the frequency reflected from the wall:
𝑣𝑣
𝑓𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝑣𝑣 − 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐
where vc is the speed of the cyclist.
2) Calculate the frequency detected by the cyclist:
𝑣𝑣 + 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐
𝑓𝑓 ′′ = 𝑓𝑓′ � �
𝑣𝑣
𝑣𝑣 𝑣𝑣 + 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐
= 𝑓𝑓 � � � �
𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝑣𝑣
𝑣𝑣 + 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐
= 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝑣𝑣 − 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐
Leighton Fan – Quiz 9

𝑣𝑣 + 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓′′
=
𝑣𝑣 − 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 + 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓 = 𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓 ′′ − 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓′′
𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓 ′′ − 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 =
𝑓𝑓 + 𝑓𝑓′′
338 × 791 − 338 × 757
=
757 + 791
= 7.42 m/s

Part 3)
A stationary observer stands behind the cyclist (to the left of the cyclist in the figure.) What
beat frequency would they detect between the bell and the reflected sound of the bell from
the wall?

The observer hears the frequency from the bell shifted due to the Doppler effect.
𝑣𝑣
𝑓𝑓bell = 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝑣𝑣 + 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐
The observer also hears the sound reflected from the wall. The frequency reflected from the
wall is:
𝑣𝑣
𝑓𝑓reflected = 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝑣𝑣 − 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐
The beat frequency is then
𝑓𝑓reflected − 𝑓𝑓bell

𝑓𝑓beat = 𝑓𝑓reflected − 𝑓𝑓bell

𝑣𝑣 𝑣𝑣
= 𝑓𝑓 � � − 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝑣𝑣 − 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝑣𝑣 + 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐
338 338
= 757 � � − 757 � �
338 − 7.42 338 + 7.42
= 33.3 Hz