Sound of constant pitch is produced in a straight corridor filled with still air. The sound generates longitudinal waves of frequency 500Hz that propagate at 340ms−1.
(i) Derive an expression for the distance advanced by the wave while an individual air particle completes n full oscillations.
(ii) Using your expression, determine how far the wave front moves during the time a chosen air molecule carries out 100 complete oscillations.
(iii) Does the same air molecule travel this calculated distance? Explain your answer in the light of the principle of wave motion.