14 | Sound 1

14 | SOUND
CHAPTER REVIEW
Concept Items
14.1 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength
(1) What is the amplitude of a sound wave perceived by the human ear?
A loudness
B pitch
C intensity
D timbre
Solution The correct answer is (A). The amplitude of a sound wave is perceived by the human
ear as loudness.
14.2 Sound Intensity and Sound Level
(3) What is the mathematical relationship between intensity, power, and area?

A
B

D
Solution The correct answer is (D). Intensity is defined in Equation 14.5.
(5) What is timbre of sound?
A Timbre is the quality of the sound that distinguishes it from other sound.
B Timbre is the loudness of the sound that distinguishes it from other sound.
C Timbre is the pitch of the sound that distinguishes it from other sound.
D Timbre is the wavelength of the sound that distinguishes it from other sound.
Solution The correct answer is (A). It is our perception of the combinations of
sound frequencies and intensities that make up a musical note. It is the quality of a
musical note.
14.3 Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms

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(7) When the speed of the source matches the speed of sound, what happens to the amplitude
of the sound wave? Why?
A It approaches zero. This is because all wave crests are superimposed on one another
through constructive interference.
B It approaches infinity. This is because all wave crests are superimposed on one
another through constructive interference.
C It approaches zero, because all wave crests are superimposed on one another through
destructive interference.
D It approaches infinity, because all wave crests are superimposed on one another
through destructive interference.
Solution The correct answer is (B). It approaches infinity. This is because all wave
crests are superimposed on one another through constructive interference. If the
waves were all destructive, you would have no wave at all.
14.4 Sound Interference and Resonance
(9) When does a yo-yo travel the farthest from the finger?
A when the amplitude of the finger moving up and down is greater than the amplitude
of the yo-yo
B when the amplitude of the finger moving up and down is less than the amplitude of
the yo-yo
C when the frequency of the finger moving up and down is equal to the resonant
frequency of the yo-yo
D when the frequency of the finger moving up and down is different from the resonant
frequency of the yo-yo
Solution The correct answer is (C). In this case, the amplitudes of the yo-yo and
finger motion can be added.
(11) What kind of waves form in pipe resonators?
A damped waves
B propagating waves
C high-frequency waves
D standing waves
Solution The correct answer is (D). Standing waves have fixed ends and vibrate at
only certain wavelengths.
Critical Thinking Items
14.1 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength
(13) What can be said about the frequency of a monotonous sound?

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A It decreases with time.

B It decreases with distance.
C It increases with distance.
D It remains constant.
Solution The correct answer is (D). The frequency of a monotonous sound does
not change.
14.2 Sound Intensity and Sound Level
(15) Which property of the wave is related to its intensity? How?
A The frequency of the wave is related to the intensity of the sound. The larger-
frequency oscillations indicate greater pressure maxima and minima, and the pressure
is higher in greater-intensity sound.
B The wavelength of the wave is related to the intensity of the sound. The longer-
wavelength oscillations indicate greater pressure maxima and minima, and the
pressure is higher in greater-intensity sound.
C The amplitude of the wave is related to the intensity of the sound. The larger-
amplitude oscillations indicate greater pressure maxima and minima, and the pressure
is higher in greater-intensity sound.
D The speed of the wave is related to the intensity of the sound. The higher-speed
oscillations indicate greater pressure maxima and minima, and the pressure is higher
in greater-intensity sound.
Solution The correct answer is (C). The intensity of a wave is related to its
amplitude. The more intense sound is produced by a source that has larger-
amplitude oscillations and has greater pressure maxima and minima. Because
pressures are higher in the greater-intensity sound, it can exert larger forces on the
objects it encounters.
(17) How can humming while shooting a gun reduce ear damage?
A Humming can trigger those two muscles in the outer ear that react to intense sound
produced while shooting and reduce the force transmitted to the cochlea.
B Humming can trigger those three muscles in the outer ear that react to intense sound
produced while shooting and reduce the force transmitted to the cochlea.
C Humming can trigger those two muscles in the middle ear that react to intense sound
produced while shooting and reduce the force transmitted to the cochlea.
D Humming can trigger those three muscles in the middle ear that react to intense
sound produced while shooting and reduce the force transmitted to the cochlea.
Solution The correct answer is (C). Two muscles in the middle ear react to intense
sound in a few milliseconds and reduce the force transmitted to the cochlea. This

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protective reaction can also be triggered by your own voice, so that humming while
shooting a gun can reduce noise damage.
14.3 Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms
(19) When the source of sound is moving through the air, does the speed of sound change with
respect to a stationary person standing nearby?
A Yes
B No
Solution The correct answer is (B). The speed of sound remains the same in a
given medium.
(21) Does the Doppler effect occur when the source and observer are both moving toward each
other? If so, how would this affect the perceived frequency?
A Yes, the perceived frequency will be even lower in this case than if only one of the two
were moving.
B No, the Doppler effect occurs only when an observer is moving toward a source.
C No, the Doppler effect occurs only when a source is moving toward an observer.
D Yes, the perceived frequency will be even higher in this case than if only one of the
two were moving.
Solution The correct answer is (D). The perceived frequency will be even higher in
this case than if only one of the two were moving. This is not double the frequency,
because both of these speeds are added to the speed of sound in a ratio to
determine the observed frequency.
14.4 Sound Interference and Resonance
(23) How can a standing wave be formed with the help of a tuning fork and a closed-end tube
of appropriate length?
A If the tube is just the right length, the reflected sound arrives back at the tuning fork
exactly half a cycle later, and it interferes constructively with the continuing sound
produced by the tuning fork.
B If the tube is just the right length, the reflected sound arrives back at the tuning fork
exactly half a cycle later, and it interferes destructively with the continuing sound
produced by the tuning fork.
C If the tube is just the right length, the reflected sound arrives back at the tuning fork
exactly one full cycle later, and it interferes constructively with the continuing sound
produced by the tuning fork.
D If the tube is just the right length, the reflected sound arrives back at the tuning fork
exactly one full cycle later, and it interferes destructively with the continuing sound
produced by the tuning fork.

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Solution The correct answer is (A). When the tuning fork is struck to create a
sound, a disturbance travels down the tube at the speed of sound and bounces off
the closed end. If the tube is just the right length, the reflected sound arrives back at
the tuning fork exactly half a cycle later, and it interferes constructively with the
continuing sound produced by the tuning fork, thus producing the standing wave.
Problems
14.1 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength
(25) A bat produces a sound at 17,250 Hz and wavelength 0.019 m. What is the speed of the
sound?

D
Solution The correct answer is (D). The value of the speed of sound equals the product of the
frequency and the wavelength.
Problems
14.2 Sound Intensity and Sound Level
(27) Calculate the sound intensity for a sound wave traveling through air at 15 °C and having a
pressure amplitude of 0.80 Pa. (Hint—Speed of sound in air at 15 °C is 340 m/s.)

D
Solution The correct answer is (D).

14.3 Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms

(29) An ambulance is moving away from you. You are standing still and you hear its siren at a
frequency of 101 Hz. You know that the actual frequency of the siren is 105 Hz. What is the
speed of the ambulance? (Assume the speed of sound to be 331 m/s.)
A 17.07 m/s

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B 16.55 m/s
C 14.59 m/s
D 13.1 m/s
Solution The correct answer is (D).

14.4 Sound Interference and Resonance

(31) What is the length of an open-pipe resonator with a fundamental frequency of 400.0 Hz?
(Assume the speed of sound is 331 m/s.)
A 165.1 cm
B 82.22 cm
C 20.25 cm
D 41.38 cm
Solution The correct answer is (D).

Performance Task
14.4 Sound Interference and Resonance
(33) Design and make an open-air resonator capable of playing at least three different pitches
(frequencies) of sound using a selection of bamboo of varying widths and lengths, which can be
obtained at a local hardware store. Choose a piece of bamboo for creating a musical pipe.
Calculate the length required for a certain frequency to resonate and then mark the locations
where holes should be placed in the pipe to achieve their desired pitches. Use a simple hand
drill or ask your wood shop department for help drilling holes. Use tuning forks to test and
calibrate your instrument. Demonstrate your pipe for the class.
Solution Sample answer: The length of the pipe required to produce a certain

frequency can be calculated as .

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TEST PREP
Multiple Choice
14.1 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength
(35) What is the speed of sound in fresh water at 20 °C?
A 5,960 m/s
B 1,540 m/s
C 331 m/s
D 1,480 m/s
Solution The correct answer is (D). This value is listed in Table 14.1.
(37) Why does the amplitude of a sound wave decrease with distance from its source?
A The amplitude of a sound wave decreases with distance from its source, because the
frequency of the sound wave decreases.
B The amplitude of a sound wave decreases with distance from its source, because the
speed of the sound wave decreases.
C The amplitude of a sound wave decreases with distance from its source, because the
wavelength of the sound wave increases.
D The amplitude of a sound wave decreases with distance from its source, because the
energy of the wave is spread over a larger and larger area.
Solution The correct answer is (D). The amplitude of a sound wave decreases with
distance from its source, because the energy of the wave is spread over a larger and
larger area. As the wave spreads, the sound’s intensity is spread out so the
amplitude decreases at any given point.
14.2 Sound Intensity and Sound Level
(39) Which of the following terms is a useful quantity to describe the loudness of a sound?
A Intensity
B Frequency
C Pitch
D Wavelength
Solution The correct answer is (A). Intensity is the power of a sound wave per unit
area.
(41) If a particular sound S1 is five times more intense than another sound S2, then what is the
difference in sound intensity levels in decibels for these two sounds?
A 5 dB

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B 6 dB
C 7 dB
Solution The correct answer is (C).

(43) Why is I0 chosen as the reference for sound intensity?

A Because it is the highest intensity of sound a person with normal hearing can perceive
at a frequency of 100 Hz
B Because it is the lowest intensity of sound a person with normal hearing can perceive
at a frequency of 100 Hz
C Because it is the highest intensity of sound a person with normal hearing can perceive
at a frequency of 1,000 Hz
D Because it is the lowest intensity of sound a person with normal hearing can perceive
at a frequency of 1,000 Hz
Solution The correct answer is (D). This is, on average, the weakest sound that a
person can perceive at 1,000 Hz.
14.3 Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms
(45) What does the occurrence of a sonic boom depend on?
A speed of the source
B frequency of source
C amplitude of source
D distance of observer from the source
Solution The correct answer is (A). The source has to move faster than the speed
of sound.
(47) How will your perceived frequency change if the source is moving toward you?
A The frequency will become lower.
B The frequency will become higher.
Solution The correct answer is (B). It will become higher.
14.4 Sound Interference and Resonance
(49) Which resonant frequency has the greatest amplitude?
A The first harmonic
B The second harmonic
C The first overtone
D The second overtone

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Solution The correct answer is (A). The fundamental frequency is called the first
harmonic and has the greatest amplitude.
(51) What is the beat frequency produced by the superposition of two waves with frequencies
300 Hz and 340 Hz?
A 640 Hz
B 320 Hz
C 20 Hz
D 40 Hz
Solution The correct answer is (D). The beat frequency is equal to the difference of
the sound frequencies.
Short Answer
14.1 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength
(53) What is the frequency of a sound wave as perceived by the human ear?
A timbre
B loudness
C intensity
D pitch
Solution The correct answer is (D). Frequency of a sound wave is perceived by the
human ear as pitch.
(55) Does the density of a medium affect the speed of sound?
A No
B Yes
Solution The correct answer is (B). The greater the density, the lower the speed.
(57) Do the properties of a sound wave change when it travels from one medium to another?
A No
B Yes
Solution The correct answer is (B). The wavelength changes when a wave moves
into a medium with a different speed of sound.
14.2 Sound Intensity and Sound Level
(59) For a constant area, what is the relationship between intensity of a sound wave and
power?
A The intensity is inversely proportional to the power transmitted by the wave, for a
constant area.

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B The intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the power transmitted by the

wave, for a constant area .

C The intensity is directly proportional to the square of the power transmitted by the
wave, for a constant area .
D The intensity is directly proportional to the power transmitted by the wave, for a

constant area .
Solution The correct answer is (D).

(61) Why is the reference intensity

A The upper limit of human hearing is 100 decibels—that is, For

,

B The lower threshold of human hearing is 10 decibels—that is, For

C The upper limit of human hearing is 10 decibels—that is, For

D The lower threshold of human hearing is 0 decibels, that is, For

Solution The correct answer is (D). Decibels are measured based on sound
intensity I and the threshold of hearing intensity. This threshold is always made
equal to 0 decibels (0 dB).

(63) For a sound wave with intensity calculate the pressure amplitude given
that the sound travels through air at 0 °C.
A 0.734 Pa
B 3.67 Pa
C 0.135 Pa
D 0.367 Pa
Solution The correct answer is (D).

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(65) Why do some smaller instruments, such as piccolos, produce higher-pitched sounds than
larger instruments, such as tubas?
A Smaller instruments produce sounds with shorter wavelengths and thus higher
frequencies.
B Smaller instruments produce longer wavelengths and thus higher amplitude sounds.
C Smaller instruments produce lower amplitudes and thus longer wavelength sounds.
D Smaller instruments produce higher amplitudes and thus lower frequency sounds.
Solution The correct answer is (A). The wavelengths of sound produced by a
smaller instrument are shorter than those produced by a larger one. This means
they will produce higher frequency and thus higher pitched sounds.
14.3 Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms
(67) True or false—The Doppler effect also occurs with waves other than sound waves.
A False
B True
Solution The correct answer is (B). The Doppler effect also occurs with waves
other than sound waves.
(69) Do sonic booms continue to be created when an object is traveling at supersonic speeds?
A No, a sonic boom is created only when the source exceeds the speed of sound.
B Yes, sonic booms continue to be created when an object is traveling at supersonic
speeds.
Solution The correct answer is (B). Objects traveling at supersonic speeds continue
to make sonic booms as they travel, because they are constantly displacing air.
(71) What is the frequency of a stationary sound source if you hear it at 1,200.0 Hz while
moving toward it at a speed of 50.0 m/s? (Assume speed of sound to be 331 m/s.)
A 1,410 Hz
B 1,380 Hz
C 1,020 Hz
D 1,042 Hz
Solution The correct answer is (D).

14.4 sound Interference and Resonance

(73) Can beats be produced through a phenomenon different from resonance? How?
A No, beats can be produced only by resonance.

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B Yes, beats can be produced by superimposition of any two waves having slightly
different frequencies.
Solution The correct answer is (B). Superimposition of any sound waves can
produce beats. When two waves of slightly different frequencies but identical
amplitudes are superimposed, they alternate in time between constructive
interference and destructive interference, i.e., periods of a louder sound and no
sound. This is how beats are produced.
(75) What is the possible number of nodes and antinodes along one full wavelength
of a standing wave?
A 2 nodes and 3 antinodes or 2 antinodes and 3 nodes
B 2 nodes and 2 antinodes or 3 antinodes and 3 nodes
C 3 nodes and 3 antinodes or 2 antinodes and 2 nodes
D 6 nodes and 4 antinodes or 6 antinodes and 4 nodes
Solution The correct answer is (A). For instance, the antinodes can be at the ends
and in the middle, and the two nodes can be in between them, or it can be the other
way around.
(77) A flute is an open-pipe resonator. If a flute is 60 cm long, what is the longest wavelength it
can produce?
A 240 cm
B 180 cm
C 60 cm
D 120 cm
Solution The correct answer is (D). For an open-pipe resonator, the wavelength is
twice the length of the pipe.
(79) An open-pipe resonator has a fundamental frequency of 220 Hz when the speed of sound
is 331 m/s. What will its fundamental frequency be when the speed of sound is 350 m/s?
A 690 Hz
B 470 Hz
C 110 Hz
D 233 Hz
Solution The correct answer is (D). The fundamental frequency is proportional to
the speed of sound.

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Extended Response
14.1 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength
(81) Why does sound travel faster in iron than in air even though iron is denser than air?
A The density of iron is greater than that of air. However, the rigidity of iron is much
greater than that of air. Hence, sound travels faster in it.
B The density of iron is greater than that of air. However, the rigidity of iron is much less
than that of air. Hence, sound travels faster in it.
C The density of iron is greater than that of air. However, the rigidity of iron is equal to
that of air. Hence, sound travels faster in it.
D The mass of iron is much less than that of air and the rigidity of iron is much greater
than that of air. Hence, sound travels faster in it.
Solution The correct answer is (A). The density of iron is greater than that of air.
However, the rigidity of iron is much greater than that of air. Hence, sound travels
faster in it. Other materials like water are denser and sound waves travel much
faster in water than air.
14.2 Sound Intensity and Sound Level
(83) Why is the sound from a tire burst louder than that from a finger snap?
A The sound from the tire burst has higher pressure amplitudes; hence, it can exert
smaller force on the eardrum.
B The sound from the tire burst has lower pressure amplitudes; hence, it can exert
smaller force on the eardrum.
C The sound from the tire burst has lower pressure amplitudes; hence, it can exert
larger force on the ear drum.
D The sound from the tire burst has higher pressure amplitudes; hence, it can exert
larger force on the eardrum.
Solution The correct answer is (D). The sound from the tire burst has higher
pressure amplitudes, and hence it can exert larger force on the particles it
encounters in the medium. It is perceived louder by the eardrum, because a larger
force is exerted on it by the sound wave.
(85) The ratio of the pressure amplitudes of two sound waves traveling through water at 0 °C is
4.0. What will be the difference in their sound intensity levels in dB?
A 1.2 dB
B 6.0 dB
C 0.60 dB
D 12 dB

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Solution The correct answer is (A). Intensity is proportional to the square of

pressure amplitudes; thus, the intensity ratio is 16. The decibel scale is logarithmic;
thus, the difference will be .
14.3 Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms
(87) True or false—The Doppler effect occurs only when the sound source is moving.
A False
B True
Solution The correct answer is (A). The sound source can be moving, but the
observer may also be moving at the same rate and in the same direction. The
Doppler effect occurs only when the sound source and observer are moving relative
to each other.
(89) You are driving alongside a train. You hear its horn at a pitch that is lower than the actual
frequency. What should you do to match the speed of the train? Why?
A In order to match the speed of the train, one would need to increase or decrease the
speed of his/her car because a lower pitch means that either the train (the source) is
moving away or that you (the observer) are moving away.
B In order to match the speed of the train, one would need to drive at a constant speed
because a lower pitch means that the train and the car are at the same speed.
Solution The correct answer is (A). If you are hearing the pitch of the horn at lower
than actual frequency, it means the frequency of the sound of the horn that you are
observing is lower than the actual frequency of the sound of the horn. Hence, the
train (the source) is moving away from you. This means that the train is moving at a
higher speed than your car. In order to match the speed of the train, you would
need to increase the speed of your car.
14.4 Sound Interference and Resonance

(91) In the tuning fork and tube experiment, resonance is formed for , where L is the
length of the tube and is the wavelength of the sound wave. Can resonance also be formed

for a wavelength Why?

A The frequency formed is a harmonic and first overtone, so resonance will occur.
B The frequency formed is a harmonic and second overtone, so resonance will occur.
C The frequency formed is a harmonic and third overtone, so resonance will occur.
D The frequency formed is a harmonic and fourth overtone, so resonance will occur.
Solution The correct answer is (D). This wavelength is one ninth of the
fundamental wavelength; thus, the frequency is nine times the fundamental

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frequency. The overtone frequencies are 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, etc. times the fundamental
frequency for a closed-pipe resonator. Thus, this resonance will be formed for the
fourth overtone.
(93) A flute has finger holes for changing the length of the resonating air column, and therefore,
the frequency of the note played. How far apart are two holes that, when closed, play two
frequencies that are 300.0 Hz apart, if the first hole is 20.0 cm away from the mouthpiece of the
flute?
A 0.31 m
B 0.24 m
C 0.04 m
D 0.11 m
Solution The correct answer is (D). A flute is an open-pipe resonator. If the hole is
located 20.0 cm from the mouthpiece, it corresponds to a wavelength of 40.0 cm

and a frequency of Thus, the second hole corresponds to a

frequency of 528 Hz, a wavelength of and the distance of

31.4 cm, which would make the distance between them approximately 0.11 m. The
other possibility would be a frequency of 1,128 Hz, a wavelength of

and a distance from the mouthpiece of 0.147 m, and the

distance from the first hole or 0.053 m. This second answer is not on the list, so the
correct answer is 0.11 m.

Physics Instructor’s Solution Manual