Define systematic error .

A systematic error is an error that affects every reading in the same, consistent way, for example not correctly accounting for the scale of the oscilloscope's time base when calculating the time period.

Define random error .

A random error is unpredictable variation in readings, for example the effect of a person's reaction time when starting and stopping a stopwatch; repeating readings and taking an average reduces its effect.

What is the aim of Core Practical 6?

To measure the speed of sound in air between two points.

In Experiment 1 of Core Practical 6, how is the time taken for sound to travel between two people measured?

One person bangs two wooden blocks together above their head. A second person, a measured distance away, starts a stopwatch when they see the blocks bang together and stops it when they hear the sound, repeating the timing several times to find an average .

In Experiment 2 of Core Practical 6, how does the oscilloscope allow the time difference between the sound reaching each microphone to be found?

Two microphones are connected to an oscilloscope a measured distance apart. The oscilloscope is set to trigger when the first microphone detects the clap, so the time difference between the signal arriving at each microphone can be read from the screen.

The speed of sound can be calculated using the equation average speed = distance moved / ______

The speed of sound can be calculated using the equation average speed = distance moved / time taken

True or False? Experiment 2 (using an oscilloscope) is more accurate than Experiment 1 (manual timing) for measuring the speed of sound.

True. In Experiment 2 the timing is done automatically by the oscilloscope, whereas Experiment 1 relies on manual stopwatch timing over a very short time interval, which is affected by human reaction time .

What is the resolution of the trundle wheel used in Experiment 1, and the tape measure used in Experiment 2?

Trundle wheel: 0.01 m . Tape measure: 0.1 cm .

Define oscilloscope .

An oscilloscope is a device used to study a rapidly changing signal, such as a sound wave or an alternating current , by displaying it as a waveform on screen.

Sound is a longitudinal wave. How is it displayed when a microphone is connected to an oscilloscope?

It is displayed as though it were a transverse wave on the oscilloscope screen.

What does the time base of an oscilloscope measure?

The time period of the wave — it acts like the x -axis of the display.

If the frequency of a sound wave increases, ______ waves are displayed on the oscilloscope screen.

If the frequency of a sound wave increases, more waves are displayed on the oscilloscope screen.

True or False? Increasing the amplitude of a sound wave increases the number of complete waves displayed on an oscilloscope screen.

False. Amplitude relates to the height of the wave on screen, not the number of waves shown; the number of complete waves shown depends on the frequency .

The time period is the time taken for one complete wave cycle, measured in seconds.

What is the aim of Core Practical 7?

To investigate the frequency of a sound wave using an oscilloscope .

What are the independent and dependent variables in Core Practical 7?

Independent variable: tuning forks of different frequencies. Dependent variable: time period .

Why must the time base be adjusted before striking the tuning fork in Core Practical 7?

So that the signal fits on the screen and multiple complete waves can be seen.

How is the time period of the tuning fork's sound wave measured from the oscilloscope screen in Core Practical 7?

By counting the number of divisions for one complete wave cycle and converting this using the time base scale (e.g. ms/cm).

A cause of random error in Core Practical 7 is ______ in the environment, so the experiment should be carried out in a quiet location.

A cause of random error in Core Practical 7 is noise in the environment, so the experiment should be carried out in a quiet location.

True or False? In Core Practical 7, a systematic error can arise from not correctly accounting for the scale of the oscilloscope's time base.

True. The time base scale is often small (e.g. milliseconds), so failing to account for it correctly when converting divisions to time introduces a systematic error .

Pitch is the property of a sound related to the frequency of the vibrating source: a high frequency gives a high pitch, and a low frequency gives a low pitch.

Loudness is the property of a sound related to the amplitude of the vibrating source: a larger amplitude gives a louder sound.

What term describes sound with a frequency below the range of human hearing, and what term describes sound above it?

Below 20 Hz: infrasound . Above 20 000 Hz: ultrasound .

If the frequency of vibration is high, the sound wave has a ______ pitch.

If the frequency of vibration is high, the sound wave has a high pitch.

True or False? Increasing the frequency of a sound wave makes it louder.

False. Frequency determines pitch , not loudness; loudness depends on the amplitude of the vibrating source.

IGCSEPhysicsEdexcelPhysics (Modular)Unit 2Flashcards5. WavesSound

Sound (Edexcel IGCSE Physics (Modular): Unit 2): Flashcards

Exam code: 4XPH1

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FrontCore Practical: Investigating the Speed of Sound
Define systematic error.

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Cards in this collection (30)

Define systematic error.
A systematic error is an error that affects every reading in the same, consistent way, for example not correctly accounting for the scale of the oscilloscope's time base when calculating the time period.
Define random error.
A random error is unpredictable variation in readings, for example the effect of a person's reaction time when starting and stopping a stopwatch; repeating readings and taking an average reduces its effect.
What is the aim of Core Practical 6?
To measure the speed of sound in air between two points.
In Experiment 1 of Core Practical 6, how is the time taken for sound to travel between two people measured?
One person bangs two wooden blocks together above their head. A second person, a measured distance away, starts a stopwatch when they see the blocks bang together and stops it when they hear the sound, repeating the timing several times to find an average.
In Experiment 2 of Core Practical 6, how does the oscilloscope allow the time difference between the sound reaching each microphone to be found?
Two microphones are connected to an oscilloscope a measured distance apart. The oscilloscope is set to trigger when the first microphone detects the clap, so the time difference between the signal arriving at each microphone can be read from the screen.
The speed of sound can be calculated using the equation average speed = distance moved / ______
The speed of sound can be calculated using the equation average speed = distance moved / time taken
True or False?
Experiment 2 (using an oscilloscope) is more accurate than Experiment 1 (manual timing) for measuring the speed of sound.
True.
In Experiment 2 the timing is done automatically by the oscilloscope, whereas Experiment 1 relies on manual stopwatch timing over a very short time interval, which is affected by human reaction time.
In both experiments of Core Practical 6, what value should the speed of sound in air work out to be?
About 340 m/s.
What is the resolution of the trundle wheel used in Experiment 1, and the tape measure used in Experiment 2?
Trundle wheel: 0.01 m. Tape measure: 0.1 cm.
Define oscilloscope.
An oscilloscope is a device used to study a rapidly changing signal, such as a sound wave or an alternating current, by displaying it as a waveform on screen.
Sound is a longitudinal wave. How is it displayed when a microphone is connected to an oscilloscope?
It is displayed as though it were a transverse wave on the oscilloscope screen.
What does the time base of an oscilloscope measure?
The time period of the wave — it acts like the x-axis of the display.
What property of a sound is represented by the height of the wave on an oscilloscope screen, measured from the centre?
The amplitude of the sound.
What property of a sound is represented by the number of complete waves shown on an oscilloscope screen?
The frequency of the sound.
If the frequency of a sound wave increases, ______ waves are displayed on the oscilloscope screen.
If the frequency of a sound wave increases, more waves are displayed on the oscilloscope screen.
True or False?
Increasing the amplitude of a sound wave increases the number of complete waves displayed on an oscilloscope screen.
False.
Amplitude relates to the height of the wave on screen, not the number of waves shown; the number of complete waves shown depends on the frequency.
Define time period.
The time period is the time taken for one complete wave cycle, measured in seconds.
What is the aim of Core Practical 7?
To investigate the frequency of a sound wave using an oscilloscope.
What are the independent and dependent variables in Core Practical 7?
Independent variable: tuning forks of different frequencies. Dependent variable: time period.
Why must the time base be adjusted before striking the tuning fork in Core Practical 7?
So that the signal fits on the screen and multiple complete waves can be seen.
How is the time period of the tuning fork's sound wave measured from the oscilloscope screen in Core Practical 7?
By counting the number of divisions for one complete wave cycle and converting this using the time base scale (e.g. ms/cm).
Which equation is used to calculate the frequency of the sound waves from their time period in Core Practical 7?
$f = \frac{1}{T}$
where f is frequency in Hz and T is time period in seconds.
A cause of random error in Core Practical 7 is ______ in the environment, so the experiment should be carried out in a quiet location.
A cause of random error in Core Practical 7 is noise in the environment, so the experiment should be carried out in a quiet location.
True or False?
In Core Practical 7, a systematic error can arise from not correctly accounting for the scale of the oscilloscope's time base.
True.
The time base scale is often small (e.g. milliseconds), so failing to account for it correctly when converting divisions to time introduces a systematic error.
Define pitch.
Pitch is the property of a sound related to the frequency of the vibrating source: a high frequency gives a high pitch, and a low frequency gives a low pitch.
Define loudness.
Loudness is the property of a sound related to the amplitude of the vibrating source: a larger amplitude gives a louder sound.
What is the frequency range of human hearing?
20 Hz to 20 000 Hz.
What term describes sound with a frequency below the range of human hearing, and what term describes sound above it?
Below 20 Hz: infrasound. Above 20 000 Hz: ultrasound.
If the frequency of vibration is high, the sound wave has a ______ pitch.
If the frequency of vibration is high, the sound wave has a high pitch.
True or False?
Increasing the frequency of a sound wave makes it louder.
False.
Frequency determines pitch, not loudness; loudness depends on the amplitude of the vibrating source.

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