Chapter 5: Problem 29

Arrange the following steps of an experiment in a sequential order to determine the speed of sound in air. (a) Let two persons \(\mathrm{P}_{1}\) and \(\mathrm{P}_{2}\) are separated by a distance of \(1 \mathrm{~km}\) in an open place. (b) The person \(\mathrm{P}_{1}\) will fire the cracker and person \(\mathrm{P}_{2}\) will start the stop watch as soon as he sees the light. (c) Note the time taken by the sound to travel from \(\mathrm{P}_{1}\) to \(\mathrm{P}_{2}\).

Short Answer

Expert verified

Question: Arrange the steps of an experiment to determine the speed of sound in air using a firecracker, two persons, and a stopwatch, and provide a formula for calculating the speed of sound. Answer: The steps are: 1) Choose an open location, 2) Set up the experiment with two persons 1 km apart, 3) Light the firecracker, 4) Start the stopwatch when the light is seen, 5) Stop the stopwatch when the sound is heard, 6) Calculate the speed of sound using the formula: Speed of sound = (1000 m) / (time in seconds).

Step by step solution

Choose an open location

Select a wide-open area where the distance between the two persons can be measured accurately, and there is minimal interference due to reflection or wind.

Set up the experiment

Position two persons, \(\mathrm{P}_{1}\) and \(\mathrm{P}_{2}\), at a distance of 1 km apart. One person will be responsible for lighting the firecracker, and the other person will use a stopwatch to time the experiment.

Light the firecracker

Person \(\mathrm{P}_{1}\) lights the firecracker and makes sure to step away from it to avoid any hearing damage or injury.

Start the stopwatch

Person \(\mathrm{P}_{2}\) watches for the light from the firecracker. As soon as they see the light, they start the stopwatch.

Stop the stopwatch

Person \(\mathrm{P}_{2}\) waits for the sound of the firecracker explosion to reach them. Once they hear the sound, they stop the stopwatch and note the time taken.

Calculate the speed of sound

Let the time taken for the sound to travel from \(\mathrm{P}_{1}\) to \(\mathrm{P}_{2}\) be denoted as \(t\). Use the formula for calculating speed, which is given by: Speed = Distance / Time In our case, the distance is 1 km (or 1000 m), and the time is \(t\) seconds. Therefore, the speed of sound in air can be calculated as: Speed of sound = \(\frac{1000}{t}\) m/s

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Short Answer

Step by step solution

Choose an open location

Set up the experiment

Light the firecracker

Start the stopwatch

Stop the stopwatch

Calculate the speed of sound

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