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Question 1

A student is investigating the speed of sound in air.

The student's method is below. 

  1. Measure a distance of 100 m using a trundle wheel or measuring tape.
  2. Place two wooden blocks at one end of the 100 m.
  3. Place one sound sensor next to the wooden blocks and another at the 100 m mark.
  4. Connect sound sensors to a data logger to record time.
  5. Make loud sound by banging two wooden blocks together.
  6. Record time taken for sound to travel between the two sound sensors.
  7. Increase distance in 20 m increments up to 300 m.
  8. Plot a graph of distance vs time.

a)

State the name of the sound sensor used to convert the sound wave into an electrical signal.

(0/1 marks)

b)

State the independent variable in the student's investigation.

(0/1 marks)

c)

Plot a graph of the distance vs time for the student's results.

Model answer

(0/2 marks)

d)

The gradient of the graph can be used to find the speed of sound.

Calculate the gradient of the graph. 

(0/2 marks)

e)

The speed of sound is equal to 1 divided by the gradient. 

gradient = speed of sound1​

Calculate the speed of sound in air using the gradient calculated in part d). Give your answer in m/s to the nearest whole number.

(0/2 marks)

f)

The accepted value for the speed of sound in air is 340 m/s.

Describe one way the student could improve the accuracy of their results without changing the equipment used.

(0/2 marks)

g)

The student used data logging equipment to record their values for time. 

Explain why the student used data logging equipment instead of a handheld stopwatch.

(0/2 marks)

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