Can you please check this (destructive interference).

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on understanding destructive interference in sound waves, specifically how to calculate the necessary distance difference between two speakers. The initial calculations incorrectly focused on the distance to one speaker, neglecting the requirement that the difference in distance to both speakers must equal half a wavelength (0.5λ). After clarification, the correct approach involves calculating the distances from both speakers after moving and finding their difference. The final calculations yielded a wavelength of 1.102m and a frequency of approximately 310 Hz, which were confirmed as correct. The importance of considering both speakers in the calculations for destructive interference was emphasized throughout the discussion.
Sullo
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If it is wrong can you please pinpoint where i am going wrong. Thank you.

1. Homework Statement

https://imgur.com/a/0STmmWt
upload_2018-5-19_15-17-56.png

(uploaded picture because it has a diagram)

Homework Equations


To sense destructive interference , the person must be one half wavelength (0.5λ) closer or farther from one speaker than the other.

The Attempt at a Solution


Choosing distance from closer speaker (speaker on the right). So to sense destructive frequency he must be 0.5λ closer to the right speaker than the left.
Distance from right speaker before moving to the right (c^2) = a^2 + b^2
Distance from right speaker before moving to the right (c^2) = 1.75^2 + 5.0^2
Distance from right speaker before moving c = 5.30m

Distance from right speaker after moving to the right (c^2) = a^2 + b^2
Distance from right speaker after moving to the right c^2 = (1.75-0.84)^2 + (5.0)^2
Distance from right speaker after moving to the right c = 5.08m

Therefore; Distance from right speaker before moving - Distance from right speaker after moving
=5.30 - 5.08 = 0.22m

Therefore ; 0.22m = 0.5λ --> λ = 0.44m

v = fλ , f = v/λ = 343/0.44 = 779.5Hz
 

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The distance to the left speaker changes as well.
 
mfb said:
The distance to the left speaker changes as well.
Can you please elaborate, why include both speakers in this?
 
Sullo said:
To sense destructive interference , the person must be one half wavelength (0.5λ) closer or farther from one speaker than the other.
The length difference between the left and right speaker has to be half the wavelength. What you calculated is something else - you didn't even consider the left speaker.
 
mfb said:
The length difference between the left and right speaker has to be half the wavelength. What you calculated is something else - you didn't even consider the left speaker.

I'll need to go over this again tomorrow then
 
mfb said:
The length difference between the left and right speaker has to be half the wavelength. What you calculated is something else - you didn't even consider the left speaker.
So do you mean distance from left speaker after moving + distance from right speaker after moving = 0.5λ ?
 
The difference, not the sum.
 
mfb said:
The difference, not the sum.
Oh ok. Thank you!

So is this correct?

Distance from left speaker after moving to the right (c^2) = a^2 + b^2
Distance from left speaker after moving to the right (c^2) = (1.75+0.84)^2 + 5.0^2
Distance from left speaker after moving to right c = 5.631

Distance from right speaker after moving to the right (c^2) = a^2 + b^2
Distance from right speaker after moving to the right c^2 = (1.75-0.84)^2 + (5.0)^2
Distance from right speaker after moving to the right c = 5.08m

Therefore; Distance from left speaker after moving - Distance from right speaker after moving
=5.631 - 5.08 = 0.551m

Therefore ; 0.551m = 0.5λ --> λ = 1.102m

v = fλ , f = v/λ = 343/1.102 = 311.26 Hz , 310hz (2 sig figs).
 
That looks good.
 
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