Question

You are able to detect that the intensity of the chirp of the cricket has increased by a factor of 4. Which of the following statements is true at your new position with respect to the cricket?

a) The power delivered by the sound waves has decreased.

b) The frequency of the cricket's chirp has decreased.

c) The amplitude of the sound waves has increased.

d) The wavelength of the sound waves has increased.

Answer 1

If the intensity of a cricket's chirp has increased by a factor of 4, it means that the amplitude of the sound waves has increased. Sound intensity is proportional to the square of its amplitude, therefore, an increase in intensity indicates a larger amplitude.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you detect that the intensity of the chirp of the cricket has increased by a factor of 4 at your new position, the statement that is true with respect to the cricket is: c) The amplitude of the sound waves has increased.

Intensity of a sound is proportional to the square of its amplitude. An increase in intensity suggests the amplitude of the sound waves has become greater. The power delivered by the sound waves is determined by the source and doesn't decrease just because the intensity has been perceived to increase due to a change in amplitude. Frequency of the sound wave is related to the pitch and is unchanged unless the source or the observer is moving, leading to the Doppler Effect. The wavelength of a sound wave is only affected by the medium through which it travels or if the frequency changes—which is not the case in this scenario.