When a person speaks from behind a slightly open doorway
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Waves · Waves
Problem
When a person speaks from behind a slightly open doorway, the sound can easily be heard in the adjoining room, yet the speaker cannot be seen. Which of the following best explains this observation?
(a) The lower speed of sound allows it to bend around the doorway more than light does.
(b) The wavelength of sound is comparable to the doorway width, whereas the wavelength of visible light is much smaller.
(c) Air absorbs visible light much more strongly than it absorbs sound waves, so only sound passes through.
(d) Because sound is a longitudinal wave and light is a transverse wave, longitudinal waves can turn corners whereas transverse waves cannot.