Question

A certain sound has a frequency of 256 hertz and a wavelength of 1.3 m.

1) Calculate the speed with which this sound travels

2) What difference would be felt by a listener between the above sound and another sound traveling at the same speed, but of wavelength 2.6 m?

Answer 1

1) For first sound, f = 256 Hz and λ = 1.3 m
We know that
Speed v = f x λ = 256 x 1.3

→ v = 332.8 m  s^-1

Thus, the sound travels with a speed of 332.8 m s^-1

2) For the second case, λ = 2.6 m and v = 332.8 m s^-1

Frequency, f = `v/lambda = 332.8/2.6`

→ f = 128 Hz

The frequency of the first sound is more that of the second sound.

∴ The first sound will be shriller than the second sound