What is sound wave refraction and how do speed and frequency affect it?

Click For Summary
Sound wave refraction occurs when different parts of a wave front travel at varying speeds, leading to changes in direction. This phenomenon is distinct from reflection, where sound bounces off surfaces, and dispersion, which involves different frequencies traveling at different speeds. A diagram illustrates how points on a wavefront, such as A and B, travel different distances during refraction. The discussion confirms that the correct answer to the initial question about sound wave refraction is that different parts of a wave front travel at different speeds. Understanding these principles is crucial for grasping how sound behaves in various environments.
CanadianEh
Messages
33
Reaction score
0
Refraction of sound is a term that refers to the fact that...

A. sound bounces off a smooth surface just as light bounces off a mirror.
B. different parts of a wave front travel at different speeds.
C. different frequencies of sound waves travel at different speeds.
D. sound waves only contain a fraction of the total energy emitted by the source.


3. I think the answer is B, but I'm looking for some clarification. Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The answer is B.
Answer A is reflection and answer C is dispersion.
In this diagram, the wavefront is AB moving to CD
In a time t, point A travels AC, point B travels BD
BD is a greater distance than AC.
Different points on the wavefront travel at different speeds when refraction takes place.
http://www.iop.org/activity/education/Projects/Teaching%20Advanced%20Physics/Vibrations%20and%20Waves/Images%20300/img_mid_4455.gif
 
Thank you very very much! :smile:
 

Thread 'Magnitude of buoyant force in fluids of different densities'

The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?
View full post »

Similar threads

Sound Wave Interference and Finding the Path Differences with Diagrams
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
The hot chocolate effect to investigate the effects on speed of sound
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Frequency of Reflected Underwater Sound Wave
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Sound waves in carbon dioxide -- I think book answer is *wrong*
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
11K
Waves: Calculate the sound intensity from two speakers
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
June 2005 aqa physics paper question on stationary waves
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Contradiction in Phase of reflected sound
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Critical frequency of Faraday Waves?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Undergrad Sound power, amplitude, frequency, and decibels
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Calculating Intensities of Out-of-Phase Sound Waves
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K