Question

3. The velocity of sound is 332 m/s. Answer the following questions:

i) What is the minimum and maximum frequency of sound which
is heard to the human ear?
ii) What is the wavelength of the shortest and longest waves heard
to the human ear?​

Answer 1

3 i) The minimum frequency of sound which is heard by the human ear is 20 Hz

The maximum frequency of sound which is heard by the human ear is 20 kHz

ii) The wavelength, λ, of the shortest wave audible to human hear is 16.6 mm

The wavelength, λ, of the longest wave audible to human hear is 16.6 m

Step-by-step explanation:

The given parameters are;

The velocity of sound, v = 332 m/s

The frequency, f, of sound is given by the following formula;

v = f × λ

Where;

λ = The wavelength of sound

i) The frequency of sound audible to human hearing are from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, therefore;

The minimum frequency of sound which is heard by the human ear = 20 Hz

The maximum frequency of sound which is heard by the human ear = 20 kHz

ii) The wavelength, λ, of the shortest wave audible to human hear = The wavelength of the highest frequency audible to human hear = v/f = (332 m/s)/(20,000 Hz) = 0.0166 m = 16.6 mm

The wavelength, λ, of the longest wave audible to human hear = The wavelength of the shortest frequency audible to human hear = v/f = (332 m/s)/(20 Hz) = 0.0166 m = 16.6 m.