Two laboratory signal generators are set to produce nearly identical sinusoidal sound waves that are broadcast from adjacent speakers. Generator A is fixed at 1003.5 Hz. Generator B is nominally set near 1000 Hz, but its exact frequency is unknown. A data-acquisition system measures the sound intensity at a point where waves from both speakers overlap. The times at which successive intensity maxima occur are listed in the table below.
Time of Maximum Intensity (s): 0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50
(a) Using the data, determine the rate at which the sound intensity reaches a maximum.
(b) Calculate the frequency of Generator B.
(c) Comment on whether the periodic variations in loudness would be perceptible to an average human listener, supporting your answer with quantitative reasoning.
(d) Suppose Generator B is adjusted so that the interval between successive maxima increases to 0.25 s. Predict the new frequency of Generator B and explain how this adjustment affects the audibility of the beats.