Chapter 12, Problem 9TE

In an Olympic competition, a microphone picks up the sound of the starter’s gun and sends it electrically to speakers at every runner’s staring block. Why?

To determine

The reason for the sound of the starter’s gun sending it electrically to speakers at every runner’s staring block.

Answer to Problem 9TE

The speed of sound is lesser than the speed of electricity.

Explanation of Solution

Earlier in Olympic competition, the sound of gun fire is used as the indication for the beginning of the event that is heard by the players with the ears, but nowadays, the sound of the gun fire is transmitted through a microphone and sends it electrically to speakers at every player starting block. Because the rate of sound in air is considerably slower than the rate of electricity, this diminishes the minute delay among shots of the gunfire and the sound reaching the player located most far away from the gunner.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the speed of sound is lesser than the speed of electricity.