Question

During a fine Saskatoon winter, the temperature goes from 0 °C one day to -35 °C the next day. You hear a loud noise coming from 1 km away. Which one of the following statements is TRUE?

1) The noise reaches you more quickly by 0.21 seconds during the cold day.
2) The noise reaches you more slowly by 0.21 seconds during the cold day.
3) The noise reaches you more quickly by 0.44 seconds during the cold day.
4) The noise reaches you more slowly by 0.44 seconds during the cold day.
5) There is no difference in the arrival times of the noise.

Answer 1

The speed of sound decreases as temperature decreases. Therefore, the noise reaches you more slowly by 0.44 seconds during the cold day.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speed of sound is affected by the temperature of the air. As temperature decreases, the speed of sound also decreases. Therefore, when the temperature drops from 0 °C to -35 °C, the speed of sound decreases. Since the noise is coming from 1 km away, the difference in the arrival time of the noise can be calculated using the formula: time = distance / speed.

To calculate the difference in arrival time, we need to know the speed of sound at both temperatures. The speed of sound at 0 °C is approximately 331 m/s, and at -35 °C, it is approximately 308 m/s. Using the formula, we find that the difference in arrival time is approximately 0.44 seconds.

Therefore, the correct statement is: The noise reaches you more slowly by 0.44 seconds during the cold day.