Waves, Sound and Light: Sound Waves
We have 23 ready-to-use problem sets on the topic of Sound Waves. These problem sets focus on the application of wave principles to analyze wave phenomenon such as echoes, the Doppler shift, sound intensity, the decibel scale, and musical instruments that rely on resonating strings and air columns.
Click a link to open a publicly-available problem set. If you are a Task Tracker student, open the assignment using the link on the Task Tracker assignment board.
Problem Set SW1 – Speed of Sound 1
Relate the speed of sound in air to the temperature of air. Includes 4 problems.
Problem Set SW2 – Speed of Sound 2
Use the v=d/t equation to relate the speed of sound to the distance traveled and the time of travel. Many problems involve echoes or sound reflection. Includes 9 problems.
Problem Set SW3 – Wavelength, Frequency, and Speed 1
Use the v=f•λ equation to relate the speed of sound to the wavelength of sound and the frequency of sound. Includes 7 problems.
Problem Set SW4 – Wavelength, Frequency, and Speed 2
Use the v=f•λ equation to relate the speed of sound to the wavelength of sound and the frequency of sound. Several problems center around a diagram. Includes 6 problems.
Problem Set SW5 – Speed, Tension, Density
Relate the speed of waves in a vibrating string (wire, rope, etc.) to the tension to which it is pulled and the linear density of the string. Includes 6 problems.
Problem Set SW6 – Sound Intensity and Decibels 1
Determine the decibel level of a sound from the intensity (in W/m2) and vice versa. Includes 8 problems.
Problem Set SW7 – Sound Intensity and Decibels 2
Relate the power output of a sound source to the intensity level or decibel level a given distance from the source. Includes 5 problems.
Problem Set SW8 – Sound Intensity and Decibels 3
Relate the decibel level at one location from a source of sound to the decibel level at a second location. Includes 7 problems.
Problem Set SW9 – Doppler Shift
Use the Doppler shift equation to predict the sound frequency that would be perceived under a specified set of conditions (frequency of source and speed of source and observer). Includes 6 problems.
Problem Set SW10 – Resonating Strings 1
Use a standing wave pattern for a resonating string to relate the length of the string to the wavelength of the wave. Includes 5 problems.
Problem Set SW11 – Resonating Strings 2
Relate the frequency of one harmonic of a vibrating string to the frequency of another harmonic. Includes 8 problems.
Problem Set SW12 – Resonating Strings 3
For a given harmonic of a vibrating string, relate the length of the string to the harmonic frequency and the speed of waves within the string. Includes 8 problems.
Problem Set SW13 – Resonating Strings 4
For a given harmonic of a vibrating string, relate the length of the string to the harmonic frequency and the speed of waves within the string (or to the strings tension and linear density). Includes 8 problems.
Problem Set SW14 – Resonating Strings 5
For a given harmonic of a vibrating string, relate the length of the string to the harmonic frequency and the speed of waves within the string (or to the strings tension and linear density). Most questions involve proportional reasoning. Includes 8 problems.
Problem Set SW15 – Open-End-Air Columns 1
Use a standing wave pattern for an open-end air column to relate the length of the air column to the wavelength of the wave. Includes 7 problems.
Problem Set SW16 – Open-End-Air Columns 2
Relate the frequency of one harmonic of an open-end air column to the frequency of another harmonic. Includes 7 problems.
Problem Set SW17 – Open-End-Air Columns 3
For a given harmonic of an open-end air column, relate the length of the air column to the harmonic frequency and the speed of sound in air. Includes 6 problems.
Problem Set SW18 – Open-End-Air Columns 4
For a given harmonic of an open-end air column, relate the length of the air column to the harmonic frequency and the speed of sound in air (or the temperature of the air). Includes 7 problems.
Problem Set SW19 – Closed End Air Columns 1
Use a standing wave pattern for a closed-end air column to relate the length of the air column to the wavelength of the wave. Includes 6 problems.
Problem Set SW20 – Closed End Air Columns 2
Relate the frequency of one harmonic of a closed-end air column to the frequency of another harmonic. Includes 6 problems.
Problem Set SW21 – Closed End Air Columns 3
For a given harmonic of a closed-end air column, relate the length of the air column to the harmonic frequency and the speed of sound in air. Includes 7 problems.
Problem Set SW22 – Closed End Air Columns 4
For a given harmonic of a closed-end air column, relate the length of the air column to the harmonic frequency and the speed of sound in air (or the temperature of the air). Some problems involve comparisons to open-end air columns. Includes 8 problems.
Problem Set SW23 – Beat Frequency
Relate the frequency of two sound sources with similar but non-identical frequencies to the beat frequency. Includes 5 problems.