Change in medium and its effect on sound

AI Thread Summary
When sound waves transition from a rarer to a denser medium, the frequency remains constant while the wavelength increases. This results in an increase in the speed of sound in the denser medium. The relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength is defined by the equation: speed = frequency × wavelength. The discussion highlights that the increase in speed is attributed to the change in wavelength rather than frequency. Understanding these principles is crucial for analyzing sound behavior in different media.
faiziqb12
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my question is just that how does the wavelength and frequency of sound wave change when it travels from rarer to a denser medium .......
and whatever is your solution please give a briefer insight into it..

NOTE:
i was recently going through a physics olympiad paper and i found from a question that when the above type of transition occurs ; from rarer to denser medium , the wavelength of the sound wave increases..

please assist!
thanks in advance!
 
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What happens to the speed of sound in a denser medium?

What equation relates speed, frequency, and wavelength?
 
insightful said:
What happens to the speed of sound in a denser medium?

What equation relates speed, frequency, and wavelength?
the speed of sound increases.....
but does it increase due to an increase in frequency or wavelength and how?
 
faiziqb12 said:
the speed of sound increases.....
but does it increase due to an increase in frequency or wavelength and how?
How would it be possible for the frequency to change?
 
haruspex said:
How would it be possible for the frequency to change?
yes , you are right
the frequency doesn't change for a given energy input in diffrent media......
so it must be the wavelenth that causes the increase in speed in denser media...
 
faiziqb12 said:
so it must be the wavelenth that causes the increase in speed in denser media...
I think of it the other way around. Consider a line of people at an airport with a "people-mover" (horizontal conveyor). On the floor, they pass you at a frequency of 1/s, and all walk at 1m/s. They step on the conveyor, which moves at 1m/s relative to the floor, while maintaining their 1m/s relative to the conveyor. You stand stationary on the floor next to the conveyor. What is their speed? What is their frequency? What is their "wavelength" (spacing)? Think about it.
 
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