how fast something is moving, often measured in metres per second

a ‘pulse’ that travels through a material caused by   forward and backward vibrations of particles

the material through which a wave travels

a method of detecting distances to objects by making a sound and waiting for an echo to return

Speed of sound

Science

In the Measuring waves unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about the measurable features of a wave, the relationship between them and the wave equation.

In the Making images unit, pupils learnt that white light is made of different colours that can be detected by the eye, and how pinhole cameras and lenses form clear images.

This unit explores the nature of sound and water waves, including transverse and longitudinal motion, wave reflection, superposition, and the speed of sound in various media. It covers sound production, detection, and auditory ranges, emphasising data interpretation, and basic calculations.

Waves

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

All sound waves travel at the same speed.

The frequency of a sound wave affects the pitch of the sound heard.

The frequency of a sound wave affects its speed in a particular medium.

Which of the following statements are correct?

A bird is flying at a constant speed. In 3.5 s, it travels 42 m. The speed of the bird is {{}} m/s.

Start when the blocks hit; stop when the sound hits the wall.

Start when the blocks hit; stop when they hear the sound a second time.

Start when the sound hits the wall; stop when they hear the sound a second time.

Two pupils use an echo method to measure the speed of sound in air. The diagram shows the arrangement. When should the pupil start and stop the timer?

Two pupils measure the speed of sound. The time between making a sound and hearing its echo from a wall 150 m away is 0.94 s. The sound speed they calculate, written to 2 s.f., is {{}} m/s.

A ship uses sonar to find the distance to an underwater object, by measuring the time taken for sound to return after reflecting from the object. This technique, also used by dolphins, is called {{}}.

A sonar system on a ship sends out a sound wave and receives an echo 1.20 s later. How far away is the object, if the speed of sound in water is 1500 m/s?

The car has travelled for an hour and covered a distance of 20 miles.

If the car continued for an hour at this speed, it would travel 20 miles.

If the car continued for 20 hours at this speed, it would travel 20 miles.

The car has travelled for 20 hours and covered a distance of a mile.

A car’s speedometer shows a speed of 20 miles per hour. What does this mean?

It is the material the wave travels through.

It is half-way between a peak and a trough.

It is the distance between one peak and the next.

Which of the following describes the medium of a wave?

Which of the following can describe the motion of particles in sound waves?

Which of the following can sound travel through?

It is higher in liquids than solids, as particles in liquids move faster.

It is higher in liquids than gases, as particles in liquids are closer together.

It is higher in solids than liquids, as attractions are stronger in solids.

It is higher in gases than liquids, as particles in gases are more free to move.

Which of the following statements about the speed of sound waves in solids, liquids and gases are correct?

differences between measured values and the true values

ways in which the method of an experiment could be improved

mistakes made by the experimenter when carrying out the experiment

Which of the following is the best definition of experimental errors?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet