Question

The speed of sound in air is 330 ms–1 and in steel 5000 ms–1. [4]
(i) How much distance will it cover in 9 seconds in steel ?
(ii) How much time will it take to cover the same distance in air?

Answer 1

Distance in steel = 45 Km

Time taken for the same distance in air = 2 minutes 16 seconds

Explanation:

Speed of sound in air = 330 ms–1

Speed of sound in steel = 5000 ms–1

(i) Time = 9 seconds

Distance = Time * speed

Distance travelled in steel = 9 * 5000 = 45,000 m = 45 Km

(ii) Distance = 45,000 m

Speed = 330 m/s

Time taken to travel same distance in air = Distance / speed = 45,000 / 330 = 136.36 seconds, approximately 2 minutes 16 seconds.