Chapter 9, Problem 42R

To determine

To Explain: One can hear a fire engine coming around a street corner before one can see it.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The wavelength of sound waves is larger as compared to light waves. The reason the sound waves detract from the corners of the building is their longer wavelength.

The wavelength of sound wave is large as compared to light wave and they continuously echo from the walls of the buildings and reach us before one can see the sound producing source.

Conclusion:

Therefore, one can hear a fire engine coming around a street corner before one can see it because of the higher wavelength of sound waves as compared to light wave.