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Physics · Paper 2 · Foundation + Higher · P6

Measuring the speed of sound

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Measure travel time between microphones

Place two microphones a measured distance apart along the sound’s path. Make a sharp sound near the first microphone. Use a data logger or suitable timer to find the delay between the sound reaching the two microphones. Measure separation between their sensing positions. Use speed = distance / time. Electronic timing is suitable because the delay over about a metre is much too short for a hand-operated stopwatch.

A sharp click reaches microphone A and microphone B, separated by 1.02 metres. Both connect to logger C, which records a 0.003 second delay.

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Foundation + Higher · P6. Thirteen core lessons, followed by three labelled Higher Tier lessons.

AQA Combined Science Trilogy 8464 · 6.6.1.2. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.