Question

We define the index of refraction of a material for sound waves to be the ratio of the speed of sound in air to the speed of sound in the material. Snell's law then applies to the refraction of sound waves. The speed of a sound wave is 344 $\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$ in air and 1320 $\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$ in water. (a) Which medium has the higher index of refraction for sound? (b) What is the critical angle for a sound wave incident on the surface between air and water? (c) For total internal reflection to occur, must the sound wave be traveling in the air or in the water? (d) Use your results to explain why it is possible to hear people on the opposite shore of a river or small lake extremely clearly.

          We define the index of refraction of a material for sound waves to be the ratio of the speed of sound in air to the speed of sound in the material. Snell's law then applies to the refraction of sound waves. The speed of a sound wave is 344 $\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$ in air and 1320 $\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$ in water. (a) Which medium has the higher index of refraction for sound? (b) What is the critical angle for a sound wave incident on the surface between air and water? (c) For total internal reflection to occur, must the sound wave be traveling in the air or in the water? (d) Use your results to explain why it is possible to hear people on the opposite shore of a river or small lake extremely clearly.

Added by Joel R.

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