Serway & Jewett — Wave Motion: Problem 53

Review. A 150-g glider moves at \(v_1 = 2.30 \text{ m/s}\) on an air track toward an originally stationary 200-g glider as shown in Figure P16.53. The gliders undergo a completely inelastic collision and latch together over a time interval of \(7.00 \text{ ms}\). A student suggests roughly half the decrease in mechanical energy of the two-glider system is transferred to the environment by sound. Is this suggestion reasonable? To evaluate the idea, find the implied sound level at a position \(0.800 \text{ m}\) from the gliders. If the student’s idea is unreasonable, suggest a better idea.