How Do I Correct My Physics Calculations?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on correcting physics calculations related to sound wave frequency and speed. The first calculation involves determining the speed of a fetal heart wall using the formula [1510(((2.25*10^6)+87)/(2.25*10^6))]-1510 m/s, where 2.25 MHz is the frequency of the sound wave and 1510 m/s is the speed of sound in body tissue. The second calculation addresses the fundamental frequency of a pipe filled with helium, with the formula (f*sqrt(M_air))/sqrt(M_He). Participants suggest that the user may be overlooking a factor of 2π in their calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sound wave propagation and frequency
  • Familiarity with the Doppler effect in physics
  • Knowledge of gas properties, specifically molar mass
  • Basic algebra and manipulation of equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the Doppler effect and its application in sound wave calculations
  • Study the relationship between frequency and speed of sound in different gases
  • Learn about the significance of factors such as 2π in wave equations
  • Practice solving physics problems involving sound waves and frequency shifts
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone involved in acoustics or sound wave analysis will benefit from this discussion.

squib
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Went back and tried these again, still no luck.

A sound wave travels at a frequency 2.25 MHZ(10^6) through a pregnant woman's abdomen and is reflected from the fetal heart wall of her unborn baby. The heart wall is moving toward the sound receiver as the heart beats. The reflected sound is then mixed with the transmitted sound, and 87.0 beats per second are detected. The speed of sound in body tissue is 1510 m/s. Calculate the speed of the fetal heart wall at the instant this measurement is made.

I come up with:
[1510(((2.25*10^6)+87)/(2.25*10^6))]-1510 m/s
Does anyone see an error in this?

Next,
A certain pipe produces a fundamental frequency of f in air.
If the pipe is filled with helium at the same temperature, what fundamental frequency does it produce? (Take the molar mass of air to be M_air, and the molar mass of helium to be M_He.)

I get:
(f*sqrt(M_air))/sqrt(M_He)))
This is off by a multiplicative factor...
Does anyone see my error?
 
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squib said:
I come up with:
[1510(((2.25*10^6)+87)/(2.25*10^6))]-1510 m/s
Does anyone see an error in this?

It seems right to me, but I am always forgetting factors of [itex]2 \pi[/itex] when dealing with frequencies.


squib said:
I get:
(f*sqrt(M_air))/sqrt(M_He)))
This is off by a multiplicative factor...
Does anyone see my error?

Gosh, it sure looks right to me. The frequency depends on the speed of sound in the gas, which is proportional to 1/sqrt(mass). Do you suppose that they are looking for an equivalent form like (f*sqrt(M_air/M_He)).

Carl
 
squib said:
Went back and tried these again, still no luck.

A sound wave travels at a frequency 2.25 MHZ(10^6) through a pregnant woman's abdomen and is reflected from the fetal heart wall of her unborn baby. The heart wall is moving toward the sound receiver as the heart beats. The reflected sound is then mixed with the transmitted sound, and 87.0 beats per second are detected. The speed of sound in body tissue is 1510 m/s. Calculate the speed of the fetal heart wall at the instant this measurement is made.

I come up with:
[1510(((2.25*10^6)+87)/(2.25*10^6))]-1510 m/s
Does anyone see an error in this?

Mastering Physics? i understand
Multiply your final equation by 2
 

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