A sound wave of velocity 350 ms-1 is directed towards the surface of water. lf the ratio of the wavelength of sound in water to that in air is 425:100, calc...
A sound wave of velocity 350 ms-1 is directed towards the surface of water. lf the ratio of the wavelength of sound in water to that in air is 425:100, calculate the velocity on the wave in water
Answer Details
The velocity of a sound wave depends on the properties of the medium through which it is traveling. The formula for the velocity of a sound wave is: v = λf where v is the velocity, λ is the wavelength, and f is the frequency of the wave. In this question, we are given that the velocity of sound in air is 350 ms^-1 and the ratio of the wavelength of sound in water to that in air is 425:100. Let's assume that the frequency of the wave remains constant as it passes from air into water. If the wavelength of the sound wave in air is λair, then the wavelength of the same wave in water is: λwater = (425/100)λair = 4.25λair Now we can use the formula for the velocity of a sound wave to find the velocity of the wave in water: vwater = λwaterf Since the frequency of the wave remains constant, we can write: vwater = (4.25λair)f We know that the velocity of the wave in air is 350 ms^-1, and we can write: vair = λairf Solving for f, we get: f = vair/λair Substituting this expression for f into the previous equation, we get: vwater = (4.25λair)vair/λair Simplifying, we get: vwater = 4.25vair Substituting the given value for the velocity of sound in air, we get: vwater = 4.25 x 350 ms^-1 Simplifying, we get: vwater = 1487.5 ms^-1 Therefore, the velocity of the wave in water is 1487.5 ms^-1. Option (D) is the correct answer.