Question

The sound of explosion in a mine is heard by a man 100 m away (on the ground) and by a miner 100 m below the point of explosion (beneath the rocks). Who would hear the sound first and why?

Answer 1

The sound of explosion in the mine will be heard first by the the miner who is located beneath the rocks.

Reason:

We know that velocity of sound is highest in solids and lowest in air.

So , whenever the explosion would occur, the sound would travel via rocks (solid) and reach the ears of a miner faster , who is located just below the point of explosion.

Whereas , the sound of explosion would travel much slower by air and reach the ears of a man located on the ground much later.

Hence the miner shall hear the sound faster as compared to than on the ground.

Some data on Velocity of sound:

• In air : 330m/s

• In water : 1500 m/s

• In steel : 5500 m/s