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Question 32

An athletics race starts in a large open stadium. The starter's pistol produces a flash of light and a loud bang at the same time.

a.

At the start of the race, the official timekeepers watch for the flash of light from the pistol rather than listen for the bang. Suggest why the timekeepers watch for the flash rather than listen for the bang.

[1]
b.

A spectator is standing 480 m480\text{ m}480 m away from the starter's pistol. They measure a time difference of 1.5 seconds1.5\text{ seconds}1.5 seconds between seeing the flash of light and hearing the bang. Calculate the speed of sound.

[2]
c.

The value of the speed of sound obtained in (a)(ii) is lower than the expected standard value of 340 m/s340\text{ m/s}340 m/s. Suggest a reason for this difference.

[1]
d.

The stadium has a tall concrete spectator stand. A spectator hears a second bang shortly after the first bang. State the term for this second bang and explain how it is produced.

[2]
Markscheme

Sound Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Sound

295 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics Sound, covering Sound. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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