Sound intensity/Ear drum problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zeus711
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Drum Sound
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the power of a sound source and the distance required for an individual to receive a specific amount of energy through their ears. The intensity of sound waves at a distance of 2.50m is given, allowing for the calculation of the source's power as 0.015 Watts. To determine the distance for both ears to receive 0.42*10^-12 Joules of energy per second, the area of both ears must be considered, effectively doubling the area used in calculations. Clarification is provided that the energy value refers to a rate (energy per second), which resolves confusion regarding the time period needed for calculations. The final consensus is that the calculations will be correct once the area for both ears is accounted for.
Zeus711
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A source emits sound waves equally in all directions. The intensity of the waves 2.50m from the source is 1.9 * 10^-4 W/m^2
a) Find the power of the source
b) If the diameter of your ear drum is 8.4 mm, how far from the source do you have to be located, so that your ears combine receive 0.42*10^-12 Joules of energy.

Homework Equations


Intensity = Psource/(4πR^2) Due to it being an isotropic source
Preceived = (Intensity)/(Area)
Energy = (Preceived) * (time)

The Attempt at a Solution


So part (a) I'm easily able to solve using the formula, Intensity = Psource/(4πR^2)
Just plug in the value for the intensity and distance (2.50m), isolate for Psource, and you get .015 Watts.

Part (b) I'm pretty confident I know how to solve, there are just a few things that are tripping me up. What I would do is
1) Energy = (Preceived) * (time) From this you are able to determine the Preceived is 0.42*10^-12 Watts, by simply plugging in 1 second for time.
2) You would then use Preceived = (Intensity)/(Area). Using the diameter of the ear given, we are able to solve for the area: (π(4.2*10^-3 m)^2). Plug in the value from Preceived and get the Intensity.
3) Plug this Intensity value, along with Psource from part (a) into the formula, Intensity = Psource/(4πR^2)
and then solve for R. Am I right in determining that the 'R' in this formula would represent the distance we are trying to determine?

Can someone confirm this process is correct?
The issue that I am running into is that the question asks how far you have to be so that BOTH your ears combined receive 0.42*10^-12 Joules of energy. From our calculations, we only took into account the area for one ear. Do I double the area for the ear for the prior step then solve? Or can I just halve the power and then solve for one ear? I'm so confused.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Where do you get the period of 1 second from? Seems to me the question is flawed. It should either specify a period of time or specify a level of received power, not a quantity of energy.
Other than that, yes, just double the area.
 
Oh yeah. Forgot to add that the question says 0.42*10^-12 Joules of energy per second.
Would my calculations now be correct?
 
Zeus711 said:
Oh yeah. Forgot to add that the question says 0.42*10^-12 Joules of energy per second.
Would my calculations now be correct?
Should be.
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...

Similar threads

Back
Top