How Do You Calculate the Distance of Sound Traveling Through Different Mediums?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the distance of sound traveling through different mediums, specifically air and concrete. The velocities of sound are established as 343 m/s in air and 2949 m/s in concrete, derived from the elastic modulus equation. The user proposes a setup for the equations involving time delays between the sounds heard, concluding that the initial approach was correct but contained a minor calculation error. The problem-solving method emphasizes the relationship between distance, velocity, and time for sound propagation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sound wave propagation in different mediums
  • Familiarity with the elastic modulus equation
  • Basic algebra for setting up equations
  • Knowledge of time-distance-velocity relationships
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the elastic modulus and its application in calculating sound velocity
  • Learn about sound propagation in various mediums
  • Explore advanced problems involving time delays in sound travel
  • Investigate real-world applications of sound velocity calculations in engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on wave mechanics, as well as educators and anyone interested in the practical applications of sound propagation in different materials.

Boulderbison19
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so i have some questions on how to set up this one problem on my homework.

Here is the problem:

A person sees a heavy stone strike the concrete pavement. A moment later, two wounds are heard from the impace: one travels through the concrete and the other through air, and the sounds are heard 1.4 seconds apart. how far away did the impact occur?

i got the velocity in air to be 343 m/s and the velocity through concrete to be 2949 m/s by the elastic modulus equation. how would i go setting up equations for this problem? i tried T(in concrete)=T(in air)-1.4 and used D=D to set up

V(in air)T(in air)=V(in concrete)[T(in air)-1.4]

would this setup work, or would another set up work any better?

thanks
 
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that's what I would do.
 
ok i got it. i just made a stupid mistake in solving the problem. thanks
 

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