Waves, Sound and Light: Light Waves

Light Waves: Audio Guided Solution

Extra Problem 17:

A physics teacher is using two audio speakers to demonstrate sound interference. The speakers are located 4.34 meters apart and playing a frequency of 446 Hertz. (Assume a speed of sound of 345 m/s.) Students are sitting in seats in the same row in an auditorium. The seats are spaced 116.2 centimeters apart and every third student is sitting in a position of destructive interference. What is the perpendicular distance (in meters) from the row of students to the line connecting the speakers?




 

Audio Guided Solution

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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

An effective problem solver by habit approaches a physics problem in a manner that reflects a collection of disciplined habits. An effective problem-solver...

  • ... reads the problem carefully and developd a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • ... identifies the known and unknown quantities and record in an organized manner, often times they can be recorded on the diagram itself; equates given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity (e.g., v = 3.00x108 m/s, λ = 554 nm, f = ???).
  • ... uses physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • ... identifies the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • ... performs substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

 

Read About It!

The following pages from The Physics Classroom Tutorial may serve to be useful in assisting you in the understanding of the concepts and mathematics associated with these problems.


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