English

A frequency generator sends a 550 Hz sound wave through both water and ice.

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|}
\hline Medium & \begin{tabular}{c}
Temperature \\
[tex]$\left({ }^{\circ} C \right)$[/tex]
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{c}
Speed of \\
Sound [tex]$( m / s )$[/tex]
\end{tabular} \\
\hline Ice & 0 & [tex]$3200 m / s$[/tex] \\
\hline Water & 25 & [tex]$1500 m / s$[/tex] \\
\hline Steam & 100 & [tex]$346 m / s$[/tex] \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

What is the difference in wavelength between the wave produced in ice and the wave produced in water?

A. 2.1 m
B. 3.1 m
C. 2 m
D. 8.5 m



Answer :

Let's walk through the solution step-by-step to find the difference in wavelength between the wave produced in ice and the wave produced in water.

Given:
- The frequency of the sound wave is 550 Hz.
- The speed of sound in ice is 3200 m/s.
- The speed of sound in water is 1500 m/s.

To find the wavelength, we use the formula:
[tex]\[ \lambda = \frac{v}{f} \][/tex]
where [tex]\( \lambda \)[/tex] is the wavelength, [tex]\( v \)[/tex] is the speed of sound, and [tex]\( f \)[/tex] is the frequency.

Step 1: Calculate the wavelength in ice

[tex]\[ \lambda_{\text{ice}} = \frac{3200 \text{ m/s}}{550 \text{ Hz}} \approx 5.818 \text{ m} \][/tex]

Step 2: Calculate the wavelength in water

[tex]\[ \lambda_{\text{water}} = \frac{1500 \text{ m/s}}{550 \text{ Hz}} \approx 2.727 \text{ m} \][/tex]

Step 3: Determine the difference in wavelength between ice and water

[tex]\[ \Delta \lambda = \lambda_{\text{ice}} - \lambda_{\text{water}} \approx 5.818 \text{ m} - 2.727 \text{ m} \approx 3.091 \text{ m} \][/tex]

Thus, the difference in wavelength between the wave produced in ice and the wave produced in water is approximately 3.1 m. Hence, the correct answer is:

3.1 m