A sound wave in air travels a distance of 220 m in a time of 0.70 s - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1

To calculate the speed of the sound wave in air, we use the equation stated above.

Given:

• Distance, d = 220 m
• Time, t = 0.70 s

Substituting these values into the equation:

$v = \frac{220 \text{ m}}{0.70 \text{ s}}$

Calculating this gives:

$v = 314.29 \text{ m/s}$

Therefore, the speed of the sound wave in air is approximately 310 m/s (when rounded).

To improve the student's method for measuring the wavelength, the following suggestions can be made:

1. Use a more precise measuring tool: Instead of a standard ruler, a measuring tape or caliper could provide more accurate measurements.

2. Measure multiple wavelengths: Instead of measuring just one wavelength, the student should measure the distance between multiple crests and calculate an average to reduce errors in measurement due to parallax or human error.

3. Ensure a straight line: The ruler should be aligned perfectly along the direction of the wave propagation to ensure that the measurement is accurate.

4. Record measurements carefully: The student should ensure they read the ruler at eye level to avoid parallax errors, where the position of the eye affects the reading of the measurement.

5. Consider wave disturbance: The student should ensure that they measure under stable conditions, avoiding disturbances that could affect the wave’s position.