Practice question
Question
A longitudinal wave travels in a medium with bulk modulus 1.8 × 10⁹ Pa and density 900 kg/m³. What is
its speed?
Explanation
**Wave equation** y(x,t) = A sin(kx - ωt + φ) describes displacement of progressive harmonic wave, where k = 2π/λ wave number (rad/m), ω = 2πf angular frequency (rad/s), v = ω/k wave speed (m/s). Sign of ωt indicates direction, amplitude A is maximum displacement. Speed: v = √((B/rho)) = √((1.8 × 10⁹/900)) = √(2 × 10⁶) ≈ 1414 m/s . Using v = fλ and standing-wave condition fₙ = n v/(2L) or v/(4L) as applicable, calculation yields 1400 m/s, illustrating frequency-length-speed interdependence and quantization by boundaries.
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