Question

The sound of distant horses can be heard by applying the ear to the ground whereas it is inaudible if the ear is held a little distance above the ground. Explain

Answer 1

Answer:

To explain:

Sound of distant horses can be heard by applying tge ear to the ground , but it is inaudible if the ear is kept a little distance above ground .

Reason:

We need to consider 2 parameters while explaining this question :

• Velocity of sound
• Intensity of sound

1. We know that velocity of sound is highest in solids. This means that sound from any distant source will reach fastest to the listener via the ground.

Whereas the sound will reach the listener comparitively later while travelling through air.

2. While travelling through air, the sound wave experiences greater resistance and hence loses its intensity after travelling some distance. Hence we are not able to hear when ear is kept above the ground.

Whereas sound through ground experiences comparitively lesser resistance and hence its intensity remains higher.

So, we can hear the sound from distant horses through the ground and not through air.