Question

the diagram shows a cartoon of a sound wave produced while a student is speaking. what happens to the sound wave when the student speaks louder? the frequency will increase. the amplitude decreases. the wavelength will double. the amplitude increases.

Explanation:

• Frequency: Frequency determines the pitch of the sound. When a student speaks louder, the pitch (related to frequency) doesn't change. So, the statement "The frequency will increase" is incorrect.
• Amplitude: Amplitude is related to the loudness of the sound. A louder sound means a greater amplitude. So, "The amplitude decreases" is wrong and "The amplitude increases" is correct.
• Wavelength: Wavelength is related to frequency (\(v = f\lambda\), where \(v\) is the speed of sound, \(f\) is frequency and \(\lambda\) is wavelength). Since frequency doesn't change for a louder - same - pitched sound and speed of sound in a medium (assuming air as the medium here, and speed of sound in air is constant for a given temperature) is constant, wavelength doesn't double. So, "The wavelength will double" is incorrect.

Answer:

The amplitude increases.