Speed of sound in solids, liquids and air - Jamb Physics Past Questions and Answers

Question 1:

• JAMB 1978

A herdsman yelling out to fellow herdsman heard his voice reflected by cliff 4s later. What is the velocity of sound in air if the cliff is 680m away?

A. 170ms^-1
B. 136ms^-1
C. 340ms^-1
D. 680ms^-1
E. 510ms^-1

Question 2:

• JAMB 1982

The echo of a sounder from the bottom of an ocean is heard 2.5 seconds later. If the speed of sound in water is 1,400ms^-1, the depth of the ocean is

A. 1,750m
B. 3,500m
C. 1,400m
D. 2,800m
E. 2,100m

Question 3:

• JAMB 1983

A ship travelling towards a cliff receives the echo of its whistle after 3.5 seconds. A short while later, it receives the echo after 2.5 seconds. If the speed of sound in air under the prevalling condition is 250ms ^-1, how much closer is the ship to the cliff?

A. 10m
B. 125m
C. 175m
D. 350m
E. 1,000m

Question 4:

• JAMB 1988

Which of the following factors affects the speed of sound in air? i. Temperature ii. pressure iii. Frequency

A. I only
B. Ii only
C. I and ii only
D. Ii and iii only

Question 5:

• JAMB 1988

The speed of sound in air at sea-level is 340ms^-1 while that of light is 300 000kms^-1. How far (to the nearest meter) from the center of a thunderstorm is an observer who hears a thunder 2s after a lightening flash?

A. 170ms^-1
B. 340ms^-1
C. 600ms^-1
D. 680ms^-1