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Ch 16: Sound & Hearing
Chapter 16, Problem 16

An oscillator vibrating at 1250 Hz produces a sound wave that travels through an ideal gas at 325 m>s when the gas temperature is 22.0°C. For a certain experiment, you need to have the same oscillator produce sound of wavelength 28.5 cm in this gas. What should the gas temperature be to achieve this wavelength?

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First, calculate the initial speed of sound using the formula for the speed of sound in an ideal gas, which is dependent on temperature: \( v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma R T}{M}} \), where \( \gamma \) is the adiabatic index, \( R \) is the universal gas constant, \( T \) is the temperature in Kelvin, and \( M \) is the molar mass of the gas.
Convert the initial temperature from Celsius to Kelvin by adding 273.15 to the Celsius temperature.
Use the frequency and initial speed of sound to calculate the initial wavelength using the formula \( \lambda = \frac{v}{f} \), where \( \lambda \) is the wavelength, \( v \) is the speed of sound, and \( f \) is the frequency.
To find the new temperature for the desired wavelength of 28.5 cm, rearrange the speed of sound formula to solve for \( T \) and substitute \( \lambda \) with 28.5 cm and the known frequency. This gives \( T = \frac{M (\frac{v}{f})^2}{\gamma R} \), where \( v = f \times 28.5 \) cm.
Convert the new temperature back to Celsius by subtracting 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Wave Speed

Wave speed is the rate at which a wave propagates through a medium. It is determined by the properties of the medium and can be calculated using the formula v = fλ, where v is the wave speed, f is the frequency, and λ is the wavelength. In this scenario, understanding wave speed is crucial to determine how changes in temperature affect the speed of sound in the gas.
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Frequency and Wavelength Relationship

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is fundamental in wave physics. For a given wave speed, the frequency (f) and wavelength (λ) are inversely related, expressed as v = fλ. This means that if the wavelength increases, the frequency must decrease, and vice versa. This concept is essential for calculating the required frequency to achieve a specific wavelength in the gas.
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Effect of Temperature on Sound Speed

The speed of sound in a gas is influenced by its temperature, as warmer gases have more energetic molecules that transmit sound waves more quickly. The speed of sound can be approximated by the formula v = 331.4 + (0.6 × T), where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius. Understanding this relationship allows us to determine the necessary temperature to achieve the desired sound wave characteristics.
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