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A sound wave in air travels a distance of 220 m in a time of 0.70 s - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 2
A sound wave in air travels a distance of 220 m in a time of 0.70 s. (i) State the equation linking speed, distance and time. (ii) Calculate the speed of the sound... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A sound wave in air travels a distance of 220 m in a time of 0.70 s - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Calculate the speed of the sound wave in air.
Answer
To calculate the speed of the sound wave, we can use the formula stated above:
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Substitute the known values into the equation:
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Perform the calculation:
(rounded to three significant figures is 310 m/s)
Therefore, the speed of the sound wave in air is approximately 310 m/s.
Step 3
Explain how to improve the student's method for measuring the wavelength.
Answer
To improve the student's method for measuring the wavelength:
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Use a more precise measurement tool: Instead of a ruler, using a caliper could provide more accurate measurements of the distance between crests.
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Measure multiple wavelengths: Measure the distance over several wavelengths and then divide by the number of wavelengths. This can help average out any errors in a single measurement.
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Ensure the ruler is aligned properly: Make sure that the ruler is positioned accurately at the crest of the wave and that the measurement is taken straight across to avoid parallax errors.
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Take measurements in still water: Conduct measurements in still water to avoid additional disturbances that might affect wave readings.