Two sounds propagate along steel rail (ordinary railroad rail).
First sound has wavelength in rail λ1=1 m.
Second sound has wavelength in rail λ2=1 mm.
2007-05-23 10:15:56 · 9 answers · asked by Alexander 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Dimensions of cross-section of
the rail d are much smaller than λ1,
and much larger than λ2: λ2 << d << λ1
2007-05-23 10:31:40 · update #1
They will both propagate at the same speed.
They will differ in frequency as freq= velocity / wavelength.
2007-05-23 10:25:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the question is which propagates faster, not which has the higher seed (not the same thing over long distances, and I am assuming relatively long distances here). I'll say the first sound, as will have to travel pretty much straight down the long dimension of the rail, while the second, with the short wavelength, will tend to follow a longer zig-zag path reflecting from the sides of the rail.
2007-05-26 15:23:45 · answer #2 · answered by tinkertailorcandlestickmaker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tfhey both propagate at the same speed, but the 2'nd sound has a frequency 1000 times higher than the 1'st one.
Doug
2007-05-23 10:24:00 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've looked all over and I can't find anything on the dispersion of sound frequencies in metal. The closest I came was someone who said that there was no significant dispersion and someone else who said you need an acoustic interferometer to measure it.
I found a study that measured acoustic dispersion in plexiglass. Higher frequencies (smaller wavelengths) are faster.
2007-05-23 10:31:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both travel with the same speed, cause the velocity of propagation does not depend on the wavelength.
2007-05-23 10:23:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe they should both propagate at the same speed because they are traveling through the same medium. The fact that they have different wavelengths shouldn't affect they speed. For example, all electromagnetic radiation propagates at 299,792,458 m/s regardless of its wavelength.
2007-05-23 10:23:18 · answer #6 · answered by AndyB 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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Speed of sound in any medium DOES NOT depend upon wave length or frequency.
Various sounds , of different wavelengths ,different frquencies travel with SAME SPEED IN A GIVEN MEDIUM.
The speed of sound will change when medium changes or properties of medium change.
Both sounds (wavelength 1m and 1mm) will travel with same speed in steel rail.
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2007-05-23 10:32:01 · answer #7 · answered by ukmudgal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
v=frequency*wavelength
2007-05-23 10:22:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
same
2007-05-23 11:33:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋