4. The speed of sound in air is ~350 meters per second: slow enough that we can

Question

4. The speed of sound in air is ~350 meters per second: slow enough that we can detect the difference in the time when a sound arrives at the two ears. Suppose the separation between the ears is 0.2 meters and a sound comes directly from the left side. How much sooner (in milliseconds) will the sound arrive in the left ear than the right ear? (Note: time -ear separation/speed of sound 1000 milliseconds.) a. b. Suppose a sound arrives at the left ear 0.5 milliseconds (ms) sooner than the right ear. If the frequency is 1000 Hz, how many cycles behind is the sound in the right ear? (Note: if there are 1000 cycles per second then there is 1 cycle per millisecond.) c. Why is this a problem for deciding whether the sound is coming from the right or left?

Explanation / Answer

A. Based on the formula given above the sound will arrive 0.57 milliseconds sooner.

B. The sound in the right ear is half a cycle behind in the right ear.

C. This is a problem deciding whether the sound is coming from the right or left ear because the differences are too minute to be adequately detected.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 4
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.