The equilibrium pressure of a gas is P₀. A sinusoidal sound wave travelling through the gas has pressure amplitude Δpₘ. Which expressions correctly give the maximum and minimum absolute pressures during the oscillation?
Options

Question

The equilibrium pressure of a gas is P₀. A sinusoidal sound wave travelling through the gas has pressure amplitude Δpₘ. Which expressions correctly give the maximum and minimum absolute pressures during the oscillation?

Options

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

The instantaneous absolute pressure is P = P₀+Δp. For a sinusoidal sound wave, −Δpₘ ≤ Δp ≤ +Δpₘ. Therefore, Pₘₐₓ = P₀+Δpₘ, and Pₘᵢₙ = P₀−Δpₘ. Correct option: A.