Sound Fading with Distance

Question 1

Which statement best describes what happens to a sound as you move farther away from its source?

Accepted Answer

The sound becomes quieter as you move farther away from the speaker.

Answer

The sound stays the same volume no matter how far you are from the speaker.

Answer

The sound becomes louder as you move farther away from the speaker.

Answer

The sound only gets quieter if there is a wall between you and the speaker.

Question 2

Jenna and her brother are testing how the loudness of a single hand‑clap changes as they move farther apart in a quiet hallway. They start 1 m apart, clap once, and Jenna records the volume on a smartphone sound‑meter app. Then they move to 3 m apart, clap again and record, and finally they move to 6 m apart, clap a third time and record. Which statement best describes the pattern they would see on the app and why?

Accepted Answer

The app will show a lower volume at 3 m than at 1 m, and an even lower volume at 6 m, because the sound energy spreads over a larger area as it moves away, so each point receives less energy.

Answer

The app will show the same volume at 1 m, 3 m, and 6 m because a clap always creates the same vibration strength regardless of distance.

Answer

The app will show a louder reading at 6 m than at 1 m because the sound waves spread out and add together, making a stronger signal the farther they travel.

Answer

The app will show the loudest reading at 3 m because at that distance the sound waves match the phone’s microphone size, while at 1 m they are too strong and at 6 m they are too weak.

Question 3

When a friend plays a drum and you first stand 1 metre away and then walk to 4 metres away, which statement best describes what you will notice about the sound?

Accepted Answer

The drum sounds quieter

Answer

The drum sounds higher in pitch

Answer

The drum sounds the same volume

Answer

The drum sounds louder

Try three questions

Which statement best describes what happens to a sound as you move farther away from its source?

When a friend plays a drum and you first stand 1 metre away and then walk to 4 metres away, which statement best describes what you will notice about the sound?

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