A bell is rung. What best describes the density of air around the bell?

a. The air density does not change.

b. The air density increases and then returns to normal levels.

c. The air density decreases and then returns to normal levels.

d. The air density increases and decreases repeatedly before returning to normal.

Question

Alannah Solomon

Physics

28 October, 20:21

A bell is rung. What best describes the density of air around the bell?

a. The air density does not change.

b. The air density increases and then returns to normal levels.

c. The air density decreases and then returns to normal levels.

d. The air density increases and decreases repeatedly before returning to normal.

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Karen Doyle · Answer 1

D. The air density increases and decreases repeatedly before returning to normal. At rest, before the bell is rung, the density of the air is fairly undisturbed. Once the bell is rung, oscillating sound waves will cause the surrounding air to compress and expand due to the wave crests and troughs generated by the sound. This will result in a variety of destructive and constructive interference events. Eventually, the energy generated from the bell will be lost to the environment and the sound will subside as the sound waves become smaller and enough destructive interference has occurred.