Method 1: Measuring Sound Between Two Points
Measuring the speed of sound directly between two points
Method 2: Using Echoes
Measuring the speed of sound using echoes
Method 3: Using an Oscilloscope
Measuring the speed of sound using an oscilloscope
Creating ripples in water
Which letter shows:
(a) The amplitude of a water wave?
(b) The wavelength of the water wave?
Part (a)
Step 1: Recall the definition of amplitude
- Amplitude = The distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave
Step 2: Mark the undisturbed position on the wave
- This is the centre of the wave
Step 3: Identify the arrow between the undisturbed position and a peak
- The amplitude is arrow D
Part (b)
Step 1: Recall the definition of wavelength
- Wavelength = The distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave
Step 2: Draw lines on each horizontal arrow
- This helps to identify the points on the wave the arrows are referring to
Step 3: Identify the arrow between two of the same points on the wave
- The wavelength is arrow C
Exam Tip
When you are answering questions about methods to measure waves, the question could ask you to comment on the accuracy of the measurements
- In the case of measuring the speed of sound:
- Method 3 is the most accurate because the timing is done automatically
- Method 1 is the least accurate because the time interval is very short
Whilst this may not be too important when giving a method, you should be able to explain why each method is accurate or inaccurate and suggest ways of making them better (use bigger distances)
- For example, if a manual stopwatch is being used there could be variation in the time measured which can be up to 0.2 seconds due to a person's reaction time
- The time interval could be as little as 0.3 seconds for sound travelling in air
- This means that the variation due to the stopwatch readings has a big influence on the results and they may not be reliable
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