

The time for the echo to return is directly proportional to the distance. A bat uses sound echoes to find its way about and to catch prey. Figure 3 shows a use of the speed of sound by a bat to sense distances. \boldsymbolit is 343 m/s, less than a 4% increase. The relationship of the speed of sound, its frequency, and wavelength is the same as for all waves: Similar arguments hold that a large instrument creates long-wavelength sounds. So a small instrument creates short-wavelength sounds. High pitch means small wavelength, and the size of a musical instrument is directly related to the wavelengths of sound it produces. Small instruments, such as a piccolo, typically make high-pitch sounds, while large instruments, such as a tuba, typically make low-pitch sounds. The wavelength of sound is not directly sensed, but indirect evidence is found in the correlation of the size of musical instruments with their pitch. You can also directly sense the frequency of a sound. The flash of an explosion is seen well before its sound is heard, implying both that sound travels at a finite speed and that it is much slower than light. You can observe direct evidence of the speed of sound while watching a fireworks display.

Sound, like all waves, travels at a certain speed and has the properties of frequency and wavelength. Sound travels more slowly than light does. When a firework explodes, the light energy is perceived before the sound energy. Describe the effects of temperature on the speed of sound.įigure 1.Describe the effects on the speed of sound as it travels through various media.Describe the relationship between the speed of sound, its frequency, and its wavelength.
