Concept explainers
Suppose the speakers at an open-air rock concert are pointed forward. You move about and notice that the sounds of female vocalists can be heard in front of the stage, but very little off to the sides. By comparison you notice that bass sounds can be heard quite well both in front and off to the sides. What is your explanation?
To Explain: The sound from the speaker is heard only in front where as the sound from bass is heard well at sides as well.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
The bending of waves while encountering an obstacle and spreading out through a small opening is called diffraction.
Diffraction is the phenomenon that basically depends on the nature of the wavelength. Now, in the given situation, the female vocalists can be heard only in the front part because the sound of female has a high frequency which means shorter wavelength. Hence, shorter wavelength can spread around a short distance making it difficult to hear all the way back. On the other hand, bass sounds can be heard in front and off to the sides as well due to lower frequency and longer wavelength. Longer wavelength can spread out to a larger distance. Hence, diffraction is more pronounced with longer wavelengths than with shorter wavelengths.
Conclusion:
Hence, the longer wavelength results in more diffraction which is why the bass sounds can be heard in front and off to the sides as well.
Chapter 31 Solutions
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals
Physics: Principles with Applications
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (3rd Edition)
Life in the Universe (4th Edition)
College Physics
Applied Physics (11th Edition)
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics (14th Edition)PhysicsISBN:9780133969290Author:Hugh D. Young, Roger A. FreedmanPublisher:PEARSONIntroduction To Quantum MechanicsPhysicsISBN:9781107189638Author:Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Physics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningLecture- Tutorials for Introductory AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9780321820464Author:Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina BrissendenPublisher:Addison-WesleyCollege Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio...PhysicsISBN:9780134609034Author:Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart FieldPublisher:PEARSON