Objective: Determine the speeds of sound propagated
by longitudinal and transverse waves in
solids
In solids, sound is propagated in the form of longitudinal
and transverse waves. However, there is
a considerable difference in the speed of the two
types of sound waves, since longitudinal sound
waves are determined by the elastic modulus of
the solid, whereas transverse sound waves are
dependent on the shear modulus of the solid.
By measuring the speed of the two wave types,
it is possible to determine the elastic constant of
the solid.