Chapter 5: Problem 53

Describe an experiment to show that sound travels through liquids.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: You can demonstrate that sound can travel through liquids by setting up an experiment with a plastic container filled with water, a smartphone or sound source, a drinking straw, and optionally, a pair of headphones or a stethoscope. By playing a sound on the smartphone, sealing the container, and listening through the straw as it's submerged in the water, you can confirm that the sound has traveled through the liquid medium.

Step by step solution

Gather materials

: For this experiment, you will need the following materials: - A small-medium sized plastic container with a tight-fitting lid - A smartphone (or any other instrument capable of generating sound, like an electronic sound buzzer) - Water - A drinking straw - A pair of headphones or stethoscope (optional)

Fill the container with liquid

: Fill the plastic container with water, ensuring that no air bubbles are trapped inside. It is crucial to fill the container completely with no air pockets, as we want to ascertain that sound can travel through liquids and not through any trapped air.

Set up the sound source

: Set the smartphone to play a sound or music – preferably a clear continuous tone or a distinct music track. Place the smartphone on top of the plastic container's lid. Ensure that the sound is audible and close the lid tightly to prevent any sound from escaping through the air.

Utilizing the drinking straw

: Poke a small hole in the lid and insert a drinking straw through the hole, ensuring that the end of the straw is immersed in the water, functioning as a "sound detector." The other end of the straw should be above the lid.

Listening to the sound

: Place your ear near the free end of the drinking straw. You should be able to hear the sound or music being played by the smartphone, which confirms that the sound has traveled through the liquid (i.e., water) inside the container.

Optional verification with headphones or stethoscope

: For a more accurate assessment, you can use a pair of headphones or a stethoscope to listen to the sound at the end of the drinking straw. Place the earbuds or stethoscope diaphragm near the straw end and listen to the sound. This provides further evidence that the sound has indeed traveled through the liquid in the container. By following these steps, you have successfully demonstrated that sound can travel through liquids. This experiment serves as a simple yet effective way to visualize the propagation of sound waves through liquid media.

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Describe an experiment to show that sound travels through liquids.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Gather materials

Fill the container with liquid

Set up the sound source

Utilizing the drinking straw

Listening to the sound

Optional verification with headphones or stethoscope

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