Concept explainers
Suppose a pair of loudspeakers a meter or so apart emit pure tones of the same frequency and loudness. When a listener walks past in a path parallel to the line that joins the loudspeakers, the sound is heard to alternate from loud to soft. What is going on?
To Explain: The sound is loud to soft alternately when listener walks past in a path parallel to the line that joins loudspeaker.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
The superposition of two or more sound waves occupying the equal space can be defined as interference of sound waves. Hence, a pattern of interference is formed within which the amplitudes of waves may be increased, decreased or completely cancel.
Interference is said to be constructive when the crests of the two waves overlap each other resulting in the addition of individual effects. Similarly, interference is said to be destructive when the crest of one wave is overlapping with the trough of the other resulting in reduction of individual effects.
In case of interference pattern resulting from the double slit experiment, a series of interference fringes occur due to the various path lengths from the slits to the screen. Hence, in the given situation the listener walks past in a path of interference fringes due to sound waves. Hence, the sound is heard to alternate from loud to soft.
Conclusion:
Hence, due to interference fringes of sound waves the sound is heard to alternate from loud to soft.
Chapter 31 Solutions
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Life in the Universe (4th Edition)
The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals (2nd Edition)
University Physics Volume 2
Conceptual Integrated Science
College Physics (10th Edition)
Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (3rd 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