TLPB121 - PHYSICS 2 LEC

Midterm Homework 01

Direction:

A. Answer/Solve the following questions below. (include images if

necessary) B. Submit in PDF Format
C. Filename format;
SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_PHYSICS02_Midterm_HW01 QUESTIONS:
1. Wave Characteristics:

a. Define what a sound wave is and describe its essential characteristics.

- A sound wave is a mechanical disturbance that propagates through a medium, typically air, but it
can also travel through liquids and solids. It is created by the vibration of an object, such as a
speaker diaphragm or vocal cords, which displaces air particles. This displacement generates a
series of compressions and rarefactions, creating a wave of alternating high and low pressure
regions. The essential characteristics of a sound wave include frequency, which is the number of
oscillations per unit of time and is perceived as pitch; amplitude, representing the intensity or
loudness of the sound and corresponding to the wave's maximum displacement; and wavelength,
the distance between successive points of a wave in the direction of propagation. Additionally, the
speed of sound in a given medium depends on factors such as temperature and density. Together,
these characteristics define the complex nature of sound waves and contribute to the diverse
range of auditory experiences.

b. Explain the relationship between frequency and pitch in sound waves. Provide examples to illustrate
this relationship.

- The relationship between frequency and pitch in sound waves is direct and intuitive: as the
frequency of a sound wave increases, the pitch perceived by the human ear also rises.
Frequency is the number of oscillations or cycles of a wave per unit of time, typically measured
 in hertz (Hz). Pitch, on the other hand, is the perceived highness or lowness of a sound. For
example, a high-pitched sound, like a bird's chirp or a whistle, is associated with a higher
frequency, while a low-pitched sound, such as a deep drumbeat or a bass note, corresponds to a
lower frequency. In musical terms, higher frequency waves create higher musical notes, and
lower frequency waves produce lower notes. This relationship is crucial in understanding how
different frequencies contribute to the diversity of pitches we hear in everyday sounds and
music.

2. Speed of Sound:

a. Discuss the factors that influence the speed of sound in a medium.

- The speed of sound in a medium is influenced by several factors, primarily the density and
elasticity of the medium. In general, sound travels faster in denser materials because the particles
are closer together, allowing for more efficient energy transfer between them. Elasticity, or the
ability of a material to return to its original shape after deformation, also plays a significant role.
In more elastic mediums, such as solids, sound waves can propagate more quickly because the
particles can transmit the wave energy more effectively. Temperature is another critical factor, as
it affects the speed of sound by influencing the average kinetic energy of the particles in the
medium. In gases, for instance, an increase in temperature leads to faster-moving particles,
resulting in a higher speed of sound. Ultimately, the interplay of these factors determines the
speed at which sound waves travel through a given medium, contributing to the varied
propagation speeds observed in air, water, and solids.

b. Calculate the speed of sound in air at a temperature of 25°C, given that sound travels at approximately
343 meters per second at 20°C.
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3. Wave Interference:

a. Explain the concepts of constructive and destructive interference in sound waves.

- Constructive and destructive interference are phenomena that occur when two or more
sound waves interact with each other. In constructive interference, waves align in such
a way that their amplitudes combine, reinforcing each other and producing a wave
with a greater amplitude. This results in an increased loudness or intensity of sound at
the point of interference. Conversely, in destructive interference, waves are out of
phase, causing their amplitudes to partially or fully cancel each other out. This results
in a reduction or complete elimination of the sound at the point where the waves
interfere. These phenomena are fundamental in understanding the behavior of sound
waves, particularly in scenarios where waves overlap, such as in acoustics or the
production of beats in music. The constructive and destructive interference of sound
waves contribute to the richness and complexity of the auditory experiences we
encounter in various environments.

b. Provide a real-world example where sound interference is utilized and describe the outcome.
 - One real-world example of sound interference being utilized is in noise-canceling
headphones. These headphones employ a technology that involves the generation of
anti-phase sound waves to cancel out external ambient noise. Microphones on the
headphones pick up incoming sounds, and the device then produces sound waves with
the same amplitude but in the opposite phase (180 degrees out of phase). When these
anti-phase waves combine with the incoming noise, destructive interference occurs,
reducing or eliminating the unwanted sounds. This allows the listener to experience a
quieter environment and enjoy their audio content with greater clarity. The precise
manipulation of sound waves to achieve interference is a practical application that
enhances the user experience in environments with background noise, such as during
travel or in busy urban settings.

4. Doppler Effect:

a. Define the Doppler Effect in the context of sound waves and discuss its applications.

- The Doppler Effect, in the context of sound waves, refers to the observed change in frequency or
pitch of a sound wave as perceived by an observer when the source of the sound or the observer is
in motion relative to the medium through which the sound is traveling. When a sound source
approaches an observer, the perceived frequency increases, leading to a higher pitch, and when it
moves away, the frequency decreases, resulting in a lower pitch. This phenomenon is commonly
experienced in everyday situations, such as the change in pitch of a passing siren or the sound of a
car engine as it approaches and then recedes. The Doppler Effect finds applications in various
fields, including meteorology for measuring wind speed using weather radar, astronomy to study
celestial objects' motion, and in medical imaging, such as Doppler ultrasound, to examine blood
flow in the human body. Understanding and accounting for the Doppler Effect are essential in
these applications for accurate analysis and interpretation of the observed frequency shifts.

b. Calculate the observed frequency of a car horn (f'') if its actual frequency (f) is 500 Hz, and an observer
is moving towards the car at a speed of 30 m/s.
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5. Resonance and Musical Instruments:

a. Describe how resonance is involved in the production of sound in musical instruments.

- Resonance plays a fundamental role in the production of sound in musical instruments by

enhancing and amplifying certain frequencies. When a musician plays a musical instrument, the
vibrations generated by the instrument, whether through plucking, striking, or blowing, create
sound waves. These sound waves then interact with the resonant properties of the instrument,
causing certain frequencies to be reinforced through constructive interference. In string
instruments like guitars or violins, for example, the strings vibrate and set the instrument's body
into resonance, emphasizing specific harmonics and producing a richer, more vibrant sound.
Similarly, in wind instruments like brass or woodwinds, the vibrating column of air interacts with
the instrument's shape and size, reinforcing particular frequencies. Musicians exploit the
principles of resonance to create the distinctive tones and timbres associated with each type of
musical instrument, allowing for a wide range of expressive possibilities in the world of music.

b. Explain why different instruments produce different sounds and tones and how they achieve this using
resonance.
- Different musical instruments produce unique sounds and tones due to variations in their
construction, materials, and mechanisms for sound production, all of which influence their
resonant properties. Resonance is a key factor in shaping the timbre and character of an
instrument's sound. For instance, string instruments like guitars or violins produce sound
through the vibrations of strings, which resonate in a hollow body. The shape, size, and material
of the body influence the resonant frequencies and harmonics that are emphasized, resulting in
the instrument's distinctive sound. Wind instruments, on the other hand, achieve resonance
through the vibrating column of air within them, with factors such as the length and shape of the
instrument affecting the pitch and timbre. Percussion instruments, including drums, rely on the
resonance of stretched membranes or solid materials to generate sound. The diversity in the
design and construction of musical instruments allows for a wide range of resonant possibilities,
contributing to the rich tapestry of musical expression.