Lightning and Sound Velocity Calculation Explanation

1. What was the time period between the lightning and thunder during a summer storm if the lightning struck 3.50 km away? How can we calculate this time period? 2. What was the velocity of sound in the Kundt’s tube based on the given measurements? Which gas was in the tube? 1. The time period between the lightning and thunder can be calculated using the equation: time = distance / speed. Given that the distance was 3.50 km and the speed of sound at 30.0 °C is 347.2 m/s, we can plug in the values to find the time period. 2. The velocity of sound in the tube was calculated using the formula: velocity = frequency × wavelength. By doubling the distance between two consecutive nodes (56.5 cm) to find the wavelength (1.13 m) and plugging in the frequency (894 Hz), we calculated the velocity to be 1009.2 m/s. The gas in the tube was determined to be Helium, as the velocity was closest to the standard velocity of Helium (1007 m/s).

Time Period Calculation for Lightning and Thunder

Given data:

Distance from lightning strike to observer: 3.50 km

Speed of sound at 30.0 °C: 347.2 m/s

Calculation:

Time = Distance / Speed

Time = 3.50 km / 347.2 m/s = 10.09 seconds

Therefore, the time period between the lightning striking 3.50 km away and the sound of thunder being heard is 10.09 seconds.

Velocity of Sound in the Kundt’s Tube

Given data:

Distance between node (crest) to node (trough): 56.5 cm

Frequency: 894 Hz

Calculation:

Wavelength = 2 x Distance = 2 x 56.5 cm = 1.13 m

Velocity = Frequency x Wavelength = 894 Hz x 1.13 m = 1009.2 m/s

As the velocity of sound in the tube is closest to the standard velocity of Helium (1007 m/s), we can conclude that Helium gas was in the tube during the measurements.

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