Question

5. How long would it take sound waves traveling through air that is 68°F to travel 2,058 meters? Use an equation to solve the problem.

Answer 1

6 seconds

Explanation:

Temperature of air =
`68^(\circ)\text{F}`

Converting to Celsius

`T=(68-32)(5)/(9)=20^(\circ)\text{C}`

Speed of sound in air is given by

`v=331.3\sqrt{1+(T)/(273.15)}\\\Rightarrow v=331.3\sqrt{1+(20)/(273.15)}\\\Rightarrow v=343.21\ \text{m/s}`

d = Distance to travel = 2058 m

Time is given by

`t=(d)/(v)\\\Rightarrow t=(2058)/(343.21)\\\Rightarrow T=5.99\approx 6\ \text{s}`

Time taken to travel 2058 m is 6 seconds.