NATS 1720

NAME:

ASSIGNMENT 1
SOUND & OSCILLATIONS
Due: Oct 6, 2016
Please answer the questions on these pages. You can attach additional
pages if you need more space. If you do then please clearly indicate which
question is being answered on the extra page.
Your completed assignment is to be handed in during class on Thursday,
October 6th, or in the NATS 1720 drop-box outside Bethune 218 by no later
than 4pm on Thursday, October 6th.
Marks on this assignment add up to 15.

Marker General Comments

NATS 1720

NAME:

1. Consider the two graphs of acoustic pressure vs. time shown below. For each graph:
a) Show, using a labelled arrow, one time corresponding to a compression and one
time corresponding to a rarefaction. [1 Mark]
b) Obtain the amplitude and period, and calculate the frequency. (Dont forget to
include the appropriate units in your answer.) [2 Marks]
c) Assuming the wave is in air at 20 C, calculate its wavelength. [1 Mark]
d) Describe how these two sounds would differ if they were heard. [1 Mark]
Show your work on or next to the graphs, and use a ruler!
Pure Tone (50 dB)
0.009

Overpressure (Pa)

0.006

0.003

-0.003

-0.006

-0.009
0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004 0.005 0.006

Time (seconds)

0.007

0.008

0.009

0.01

Flute (80 dB)

Overpressure (Pa)

0.2

0.1

-0.1

-0.2

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004 0.005 0.006

Time (seconds)

0.007

0.008

0.009

0.01

NATS 1720

NAME:

2. A complex sound wave consisting of a mixture of frequencies 200 Hz, 400 Hz, and 2000
Hz reaches your left eardrum.
a) Describe the roles played by the eardrum and the middle ear in transmitting
acoustic information to the inner ear. [2 Marks]

b) Explain how the inner ear distinguishes between the three component frequencies.
[1 Mark]

3. Transylvanian Count Floyd has moved his pipe organ to the top of Mount Logan, 5959
m above sea level. At that elevation, the air pressure is about one-half of its value at
sea level, and the density of air density is about two-thirds of its value at sea level.
When he sits down to play his favourite music (and before he passes out from oxygen
deprivation), will he find his instruments pitch has gone up or down? Explain. [2
Marks]

NATS 1720

NAME:

0.5

0.5

Overpressure (Arb. Units)

Overpressure (Arb. Units)

4. Consider the four signals shown in the panels below:

-0.5

-1

-0.5

-1
0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.02

0.04

Time (sec)

Signal 1

0.08

0.1

0.08

0.1

Signal 2

0.5

0.5

Overpressure (Arb. Units)

Overpressure (Arb. Units)

0.06
Time (sec)

-0.5

-1

-0.5

-1
0

0.02

0.04

0.06
Time (sec)

Signal 3

0.08

0.1

0.02

0.04

0.06
Time (sec)

Signal 4

a) Which pair of signals are in exact phase with each other? Explain. [1 Mark]

b) Which pair are exactly one-half of a cycle out phase with each other? Explain. [1
Mark]

c) Sketch a signal that would be one-half of a cycle out of phase with signal a). [1
Mark]

NATS 1720

NAME:

5. In class three examples of the consequences of Newtons first law were discussed (boots
on the Space Shuttle, standing passengers on a bus, and a cake in a car). Describe two
other examples of Newtons first law in action. (Ideally, ones that you have personally
experienced.) [2 Marks]