Chapter 17

Sound Waves
Multiple Choice
1.

The velocity of sound in sea water is 1533 m/s. Find the bulk modulus (in N/m 2)
of sea water if its density is 1.025 103 kg/m3.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

2.

A sculptor strikes a piece of marble with a hammer. Find the speed of sound
through the marble (in km/s). (The Youngs modulus is 50 109 N/m2 and its
density is 2.7 103 kg/m3.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

3.

5.1
4.3
3.5
1.3
1.8

The Youngs modulus for aluminum is 7.02 1010 N/m2. If the speed of sound in
aluminum is measured to be 5.10 km/s, find its density (in kg/m 3).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

4.

2.6 109
2.2 109
2.0 109
2.4 109
2.8 109

11.3 103
7.80 103
2.70 103
29.3 103
1.40 103

It is possible to hear an approaching train before you can see it by listening to the
sound wave through the track. If the elastic modulus is 2.0 1011 N/m2 and the
density of steel is 7.8 103 kg/m3, approximately how many times faster is the
speed of sound in the track than in air? ( vair 340m/s .)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

20
5
10
15
25

309

310

5.

CHAPTER 17

A harmonic longitudinal wave propagating down a tube filled with a

compressible gas has the form s(x, t) = sm cos (kx t). Its velocity can be
obtained from
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

6.

3.5 102
1.6 102
2.7 102
4.2 102
2.0 102

2.9 1010
3.7 1010
7.8 109
2.4 109
1.9 1010

The variation in the pressure of helium gas, measured from its equilibrium value,
is given by P = 2.9 105 cos (6.2x 3000t) where x and t have units m and s,
and P is measured in N/m2. Determine the frequency (in Hz) of the wave.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

9.

Calculate the displacement amplitude (in m) of a 20 kHz sound wave in helium if

it has a pressure amplitude of 8 103 N/m2. ( = 0.179 kg/m3, v = 972 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

8.

Calculate the pressure amplitude (in N/m 2) of a 500 Hz sound wave in helium if
the displacement amplitude is equal to 5 108 m. ( = 0.179 kg/m3, v = 972 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

7.

/k
k/

1500
477
1.01
0.32
239

The variation in the pressure of helium gas, measured from its equilibrium value,
is given by P = 2.9 105 cos (6.2x 3000t) where x and t have units m and s,
and P is measured in N/m2. Determine the wavelength (in m) of the wave.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

1500
0.32
477
1.01
0.50

Sound Waves

10.

The variation in the pressure of helium gas, measured from its equilibrium value,
is given by P = 2.9 105 cos (6.2x 3000t) where x and t have units m and s.
Determine the speed (in m/s) of the wave.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

11.

20
200
92
9
10

A jet plane has a sound level of 150 dB. What is the intensity in W/m 2?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

14.

3.7 107
1.8 107
9.2 108
4.6 108
1.5 109

Calculate the intensity level in dB of a sound wave that has an intensity of

15 104 W/m2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

13.

1515
153
484
828
101

Determine the intensity (in W/m 2) of a harmonic longitudinal wave with a

pressure amplitude of 8 103 N/m2 propagating down a tube filled with
helium. ( = 0.179 kg/m3, v = 972 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

12.

311

1
100
10
1000
10000

By what factor will an intensity change when the corresponding sound level
increases by 3 dB?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

3
0.5
2
4
0.3

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15.

CHAPTER 17

By what factor is the intensity of sound at a rock concert louder than that of a
whisper when the two intensity levels are 120 dB and 20 dB respectively?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

16.

A point source emits sound with a power output of 100 watts. What is the
intensity (in W/m2) at a distance of 10.0 m from the source?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

17.

139
119
129
109
10

A car approaches a stationary police car at 36 m/s. The frequency of the siren
(relative to the police car) is 500 Hz. What is the frequency (in Hz) heard by an
observer in the moving car as he approaches the police car? (Assume the velocity
of sound in air is 343 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

19.

7.96 102
7.96 101
7.96 100
7.96 101
7.96 103

A point source emits sound waves with a power output of 100 watts. What is the
sound level (in dB) at a distance of 10 m?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

18.

1012
108
106
1010
1011

220
448
5264
552
383

A car moving at 36 m/s passes a stationary police car whose siren has a
frequency of 500 hz. What is the change in the frequency (in Hz) heard by an
observer in the moving car as he passes the police car? (The speed of sound in air
is 343 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

416
208
105
52
552

Sound Waves

20.

A truck moving at 36 m/s passes a police car moving at 45 m/s in the opposite
direction. If the frequency of the siren relative to the police car is 500 Hz, what is
the frequency heard by an observer in the truck as the police car approaches the
truck? (The speed of sound in air is 343 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

21.

242
238
240
236
234

How fast (in m/s) is the Concorde moving if it reaches Mach 1.5? (The speed of
sound in air is 344 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

24.

361
636
393
396
383

A truck moving at 36 m/s passes a police car moving at 45 m/s in the opposite
direction. If the frequency of the siren is 500 Hz relative to the police car, what is
the change in frequency (in Hz) heard by an observer in the truck as the two
vehicles pass each other? (The speed of sound in air is 343 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

23.

396
636
361
393
617

A truck moving at 36 m/s passes a police car moving at 45 m/s in the opposite
direction. If the frequency of the siren is 500 Hz relative to the police car, what is
the frequency heard by an observer in the truck after the police car passes the
truck? (The speed of sound in air is 343 m/s.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

22.

313

229
516
416
728
858

A stone is thrown into a quiet pool of water. With no fluid friction, the amplitude
of the waves falls off with distance r from the impact point as
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

1/r3
1/r2
1/r3/2
1/r1/2
1/r

314

25.

CHAPTER 17

A wave generated in a medium is a longitudinal wave when

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

26.

When you hear the horn of a car that is approaching you, the frequency that you
hear is larger than that heard by a person in the car because
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

27.

stay put.
run towards her at the same speed.
run away from her at the same speed.
stay put and play a note of higher frequency.
run towards her and play a note of higher frequency.

To decrease the intensity of the sound you are hearing from your speaker system
by a factor of 36, you can
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

29.

wave crests are farther apart by the distance the car travels in one period.
wave crests are closer together by the distance the car travels in one period.
the car gets ahead of each wave crest before it emits the next one.
the speed of sound in air is increased by the speed of the car.
a speeding car emits more wavecrests in each period.

While you are sounding a tone on a toy whistle, you notice a friend running
toward you. If you want her to hear the same frequency that you hear even
though she is approaching, you must
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

28.

there is a net transport of matter by the wave.

the molecules of the medium are unable to exert forces on each other.
molecular displacements are parallel to the wave velocity.
molecular displacements are perpendicular to the wave velocity.
the density of the medium is less than the density of water.

reduce the amplitude by a factor of 12 and increase your distance from the
speaker by a factor of 3.
reduce the amplitude by a factor of 4 and increase your distance from the
speaker by a factor of 3.
reduce the amplitude by a factor of 2 and increase your distance from the
speaker by a factor of 3.
reduce the amplitude by a factor of 3 and increase your distance from the
speaker by a factor of 4.
reduce the amplitude by a factor of 3 and increase your distance from the
speaker by a factor of 12.

Drummers like to have high-pitched cymbals that vibrate at high frequencies. To

obtain the highest frequencies, a cymbal of a fixed size should be made of a
material
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

with a low Youngs modulus and a low density.

with a low Youngs modulus and a high density.
with a high Youngs modulus and a low density.
with a high Youngs modulus and a high density.
composed of a metal-plastic laminate.

Sound Waves

30.

A person standing in the street is unaware of an bird dropping that is falling

from a point directly above him with increasing velocity. If the dropping were
producing sound of a fixed frequency, as it approaches the person would hear
the sound
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

31.

drop in frequency.
stay at the same frequency.
increase in frequency.
decrease in loudness.
stay at the same loudness.

(Do not try the following: it could kill you. This question is only about a
hypothetical possibility.) If you were standing below an object falling at terminal
velocity, as it approached you, you would hear the sound
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

32.

drop in frequency.
stay at the same frequency.
increase in frequency.
decrease in loudness.
stay at the same loudness.

A plane wave propagating along the x-axis has the form

2720
8
y(x,t) 0.002cm sin x
t .
s
m

The wavelength is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
33.

315

0.0398 m.
0.125 m.
0.250 m.
4.00 m.
8.00 m.

A plane wave propagating along the x-axis has the form

2720
8
y(x,t) 0.002cm sin x
t .
s
m

The frequency of the wave (in Hz) is

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

3.68 104 .
7.35 104 .
1360.
2720.
2720.

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34.

CHAPTER 17

2720
0.002cm 8
A spherical wave has the form (r,t)
t . The
sin x
r
s

amplitude of the wave a distance r from the source is

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

35.

0.002 cm.
0.002cm
.
r
0.002cm
.
r
0.002cm 2
.
r
0.002cm
.
r2

0.002cm
A spherical wave has the form (r,t)
r

wavelength of the wave is

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

0.25 m.
0.50 m.
4 m.
8 m.
4 m.

2720
8
t . The
sin x
s
m

Sound Waves

36.

2720
0.002cm 8
A spherical wave has the form (r,t)
t . The
sin x
r
s

frequency of the wave (in Hz) is

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

37.

3.68 104 .
7.35 104 .
1360.
2720.
2720.

2720
0.002cm 8
A spherical wave has the form (r,t)
t . The
sin x
r
s

velocity of the wave (in m/s) is

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

38.

317

0.00588.
16.
340.
1360.
2720.

A boy has climbed to the top of a 6.00 m tall tree. When he shouts, the sound
waves have an intensity of 0.250

W
at a 1.00 m distance from the top of the
m2

tree. The ratio of intensity at the base of the tree to the intensity 1.00 m from the
top of the tree is
a.

36

b.
c.
d.
e.
39.

1
25
1
.
6
1
.
5

1
.
6

Which of the following does not have a precise definition in terms of the physical
properties of sound waves?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

frequency
intensity
loudness
sound level
wavelength

318

40.

CHAPTER 17

A friend hands you an equation sheet with the following equation for the
Doppler effect: f

(v vO )
f . This version of the equation is correct with signs
(v v S )

as given only if
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
41.

A boat sounds a fog horn on a day when both the sea water and the air
temperature are 25.0 C. The speed of sound in sea water is 1533 m/s. How
much earlier in s does a dolphin 1000 m from the source hear the sound than a
person in a boat that is also 1000 m distant? (Ignore the time it takes the sound to
reach the water surface.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

42.

43.

the observer and source are approaching each other.

the
observer is approaching the source while the source is moving away
from the observer.
the observer is moving away from the source while the source is
approaching the observer.
the observer and source are moving away from each other.
the observer and source are moving in perpendicular directions.

0.652
2.12
2.24
2.77
2.90

A source of sound waves is placed at the center of a very large sound-reflecting

wall. The source emits 0.500 W of power. Two meters from the source he
intensity in W/m2 is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

9.95 103 .
1.99 102 .
0.313.
0.399.
0.625.

On a day when the speed of sound in the upper air is 320 m/s, you fly coast to
coast in the United States, a distance of about 4850 km, in about one hour, if the
Mach number for the speed of your airplane is about
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

1.
2
3
4
5.

Sound Waves

44.

A fire engine approaches a wall at 5 m/s while the siren emits a tone of 500 Hz
frequency. At the time, the speed of sound in air is 340 m/s. How many beats per
second do the people on the fire engine hear?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

45.

319

0
15
29
63
250

The figure below shows the positions of particles in a longitudinal standing

wave. One quarter period later the particle distribution is shown in

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Open-Ended Problems
46.

A bat, flying at 5.00 m/s, emits a chirp at 40.0 kHz. If this sound pulse is reflected
by a wall, what is the frequency of the echo received by the bat?
(vsound = 340 m/s.)

47.

A microphone in the ocean is sensitive to the sounds emitted by porpoises. To

produce a usable signal, sound waves striking the microphone must have an
intensity of 1.02 1011 W/m2. If porpoises emit sounds with a power of
0.0499 W, how far away can a porpoise be and still be heard? Disregard
absorption of sound waves by the water.

48.

An airplane traveling at half the speed of sound emits sound at a frequency of

5000 Hz. At what frequency does a stationary listener hear the sound as the
plane approaches, and after it passes by? Assume the airplane is not flying very
high.

49.

The intensity level of an orchestra is 85 dB. A single violin achieves a level of

70 dB. How does the intensity of the sound of the full orchestra compare with
that of the violin?

320

50.

CHAPTER 17

When a workman strikes a steel pipeline with a hammer, he generates both

longitudinal and transverse waves. The two types of reflected waves return 2.4 s
apart. How far away is the reflection point? [For steel, vL = 6.2 km/s,
vT = 3.2 km/s]

Sound Waves

Chapter 17
Sound Waves
1.

27.

2.

28.

3.

29.

4.

30.

5.

31.

6.

32.

7.

33.

8.

34.

9.

35.

10.

36.

11.

37.

12.

38.

13.

39.

14.

40.

15.

41.

16.

42.

17.

43.

18.

44.

19.

45.

20.

46.

41.2 kHz

21.

47.

19.7 km

22.

48.

10 000 Hz, 3 333 Hz

23.

49.

IOrchestra = 31.6IViolin

24.

50.

7.9 km

25.

26.

321

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CHAPTER 17

Sound Waves

323