AAMC6, PS Question 48 - Sound

[moose45]

Hi, does anyone know what is the answer for this question on sound and the explanation for why the answer is correct?

Which of the following statements best explains why the intensity of sound heard is less when a wall is placed between a source of sound and the listener?

A) Sounds travels more slowly in a solid than in air
B) The frequency of sound is lower in a solid than in air
C) Part of the sound energy is reflected by the solid
D) The wavelength of sound is shorter in a solid than air

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[methylethyl88]

As a general rule, the speed of sounds goes as follows: solids > liquids > gases

Sound waves travel faster in solids because solids can exert a greater restoring force on the sound waves (which are essentially pressure waves). A greater restoring force will allow the sound waves to create faster compression and rarefraction cycles and thus allow it move faster.


With this fact in mind, you can eliminate A, B, and D because an INCREASE in speed can not occur from a decrease of the wavelength or frequency.

 

[zut212]

hi, does anyone know what is the answer for this question on sound and the explanation for why the answer is correct?

Which of the following statements best explains why the intensity of sound heard is less when a wall is placed between a source of sound and the listener?

A) sounds travels more slowly in a solid than in air
b) the frequency of sound is lower in a solid than in air
c) part of the sound energy is reflected by the solid
d) the wavelength of sound is shorter in a solid than air

c.