Mechanical Waves

1. Quality of a musical note depends on

a) Harmonics present b) Amplitude of the wave
c) Fundamental frequency d) Velocity of sound in the medium
2. A cylindrical tube containing air is open at both ends. If the shortest length of the tube for resonance with
a given fork is 2 cm, the next shortest length for resonance with the same fork will be
a) 60 cm b) 40 cm c) 90 cm d) 80 cm
3. The fundamental frequency of a sonameter wire is v. if its radius is doubled and its tension becomes half,
the material of the wire remains same, the new fundamental frequency will be
a) V 𝑣 𝑣 𝑣
b) c) d)
√2 2 2√2
4. A wave travelling in stretched string is described by the equation 𝑦 = Asin(𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡).The maximum
particle velocity is
a) 𝐴𝜔 b) 𝜔⁄𝑘 c) 𝑑𝜔⁄𝑑𝑘 d) 𝑥 ⁄𝑡
5. The second overtone of an open pipe is in resonance with the first overtone of a closed pipe of length 2m.
length of the open pipe is
a) 4m b) 2m c) 8m d) 1m
6. When a sound wave of wavelength λ is propagating in a medium, the maximum velocity of the particle is
equal to the velocity. The amplitude of wave is
a) λ λ λ λ
b) c) d)
2 2π 4π
7. The displacement of a particle is given by
𝑥 = 3 sin(5𝜋𝑡) + 4 cos(5𝜋𝑡)
The amplitude of the particle is
a) 3 b) 4 c) 5 d) 7
8. An observer is moving away from source of sound of frequency 100 𝐻𝑧. This speed is 33 𝑚/𝑠. If speed of
sound is 330 𝑚/𝑠, then the observed frequency is
a) 90 𝐻𝑧 b) 100 𝐻𝑧 c) 91 𝐻𝑧 d) 110 𝐻𝑧

9. Velocity of sound in air

I. increases with temperature
II. Decreases with temperature
III. Increase with pressure
IV. Is independent of pressure
V. Is independent of temperature
Choose the correct answer
a) Only I and II are true b) Only I and III are true
 c) Only II and III are true d) Only I and IV are true
10. The equation of a wave on a string of liner mass density 0.04 kgm!" is given by
# *
𝑦 = 0.02(𝑚) sin h2𝜋 i − jk. the tension in the string is
$.$&(() $.+$(,)
a) 4.0N b) 12.5N c) 0.5N d) 6.25N
11. Which of the following is not the transverse wave
a) X-rays b) 𝛾-rays c) Visible light wave d) Sound wave in gas
12. Three sound waves of equal amplitude have frequencies (v-1),v,(v+1). They superpose to give beat. The
number of beats produced per second will be
a) 4 b) 3 c) 2 d) 1
13. If you set up the seventh harmonic on a string fixed at both ends, how many nodes and antinodes are set
up in it
a) 8,7 b) 7,7 c) 8,9 d) 9,8
14. In a closed organ pipe the frequency of fundamental note is 50 𝐻𝑧. The note of which of the following
frequencies will not be emitted by it
a) 50 𝐻𝑧 b) 100 𝐻𝑧 c) 150 𝐻𝑧 d) None of the above
15. The equation 𝑦 = 0.15 sin 5𝑥 cos 300𝑡, describes a stationary wave. The wavelength of the stationary wave
is
a) Zero b) 1.256 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠 c) 2.512 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠 d) 0.628 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒
16. Two tuning forks when sounded together produced 4 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑠/𝑠𝑒𝑐. The frequency of one fork is 256. The
number of beats heard increases when the fork of frequency 256 is loaded with wax. The frequency of the
other fork is
a) 504 b) 520 c) 260 d) 252
17. A tuning fork of known frequency 256 Hz makes 5 beats/s with the vibrating string of a piano. The beat
frequency decreases to 2 beats/s when the tension in the piano string is slightly increased. The frequency
of the piano string before increasing the tension was
a) (256+2)Hz b) (256-2)Hz c) (256-5)Hz d) (256+5)Hz
18. An open pipe is suddenly closed at one end with the result that the frequency of third harmonic of the
closed pipe is found to be higher at 100 Hz. The fundamental frequency of the open pipe is
a) 200 Hz b) 480 Hz c) 240 Hz d) 300 Hz
19. Of the following, the equation of plane progressive wave is
- -
a) 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜔𝑡 b) 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥) c) y =√/ sin (𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥) d) y = / sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥)
20. Water waves are
a) Longitudinal b) Transverse
c) Both longitudinal and transverse d) Neither longitudinal nor transverse
21. If at same temperature and pressure, the densities for two diatomic gases are respectively 𝑑" and 𝑑1 , then
the ratio of velocities of sound in these gases will be
𝑑 𝑑
a) z 1 b) z " c) 𝑑" 𝑑1 d) {𝑑" 𝑑1
𝑑" 𝑑1
22. If fundamental frequency of closed pipe is 50 𝐻𝑧 then frequency of 223 overtone is
a) 100 𝐻𝑧 b) 50 𝐻𝑧 c) 250 𝐻𝑧 d) 150 𝐻𝑧
23. A closed Prgan pipe and an open organ pipe of same length produce 2 beats/second while vibrating in
their fundamental modes. The length of the open organ pipe is halved and that of closed pipe is doubled.
Then the number of beats produced per second while vibrating in the fundamental mode is
a) 2 b) 6 c) 8 d) 7
24. A wave is reflected from a rigid support. The change in phase on reflection will be
a) 𝜋/4 b) 𝜋/2 c) 𝜋 d) 2𝜋
25. The displacement 𝑦 of a wave travelling in the 𝑥 -direction is given by 𝑦 = 10 sin (600𝑡 − 2𝑥 + 4)
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5
meters, where 𝑥 is expressed in meters and 𝑡 is second. The speed of the wave-motion, in ms!" , is
 a) 200 b) 300 c) 600 d) 1200
26. When a guitar string is sounded with a 440 𝐻𝑧 tuning fork, a beat frequency of 5 𝐻𝑧 is heard. If the
experiment is repeated with a tuning fork of 437 𝐻𝑧, the beat frequency is 8 𝐻𝑧. The string frequency (𝐻𝑧)
is
a) 445 b) 435 c) 429 d) 448
!"
27. A transverse progressive wave on a stretched string has a velocity of 10𝑚𝑠 and a frequency of 100 𝐻𝑧.
The phase difference between two particles of the string which are 2.5 𝑐𝑚 apart will be
a) 𝜋/8 b) 𝜋/4 c) 3𝜋/8 d) 𝜋/2
14
28. If the wave equation 𝑦 = 0.08 sin (200𝑡 − 𝑥) then the velocity of the wave will be
6
a) 400√2 b) 200√2 c) 400 d) 200
29. If 𝜆" , 𝜆1 , 𝜆5 are the wavelengths of the waves giving resonance with the fundamental, first and second
overtones respectively of a closed organ pipe, then the ratio of 𝜆" , 𝜆1 , 𝜆5 is
a) 1:3:5 b) 1:2:3 c) 5:3:1 1 1
d) 1: :
3 5
30. In a resonance tube, using a tuning fork of frequency 325 Hz, two successive resonance length are
observed as 25.4 cm and 77.4 cm respectively. The velocity of sound in air is
a) 338ms!" b) 328ms!" c) 330ms!" d) 320ms!"
31. A wave of frequency 100 Hz is sent along a string towards a fixed end. When this wave travels back, after
reflection, a node is formed at a distance of 10 cm from the fixed end of the string. The speeds of incident
(and reflected) waves are
a) 5ms!" b) 10ms!" c) 20ms!" d) 40ms!"
32. Which of the following do not require medium for transmission
a) Cathode ray b) Electromagnetic wave
c) Sound wave d) None of the above
33. A tuning fork arrangement (pair) produces 4 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑠/𝑠𝑒𝑐 with one fork of frequency 288 𝐻𝑧. A little wax is
placed on the unknown fork and it then produces 2 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑠/𝑠𝑒𝑐. The frequency of the unknown fork is
a) 286 𝐻𝑧 b) 292 𝐻𝑧 c) 294 𝐻𝑧 d) 288 𝐻𝑧
34. Beats are produced by two waves given by 𝑦" = 𝑎 sin 2000𝜋𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦1 𝑎 sin 2008𝜋𝑡. The number of beats
heard per second is
a) Zero b) One c) Four d) Eight
35. “Stationary waves” are so called because in them
a) The particles of the medium are not disturbed at all
b) The particles of the medium do not execute SHM
c) There occurs no flow of energy along the wave
d) The interference effect can’t be observed
 : HINTS AND SOLUTIONS :
1 (a) 5 (a)
The quality of sound depends upon the number of Second overtone of open pipe of length 𝒍 is
harmonics present. Due to different number of 𝑣
𝑣$ = … … . (𝑖)
harmonics present in two sounds, the shape of the 2𝑙
resultant wave is also different First overtone of a close pipe is
𝑣 𝑣
2 (b) 𝑣: = = … … . . (𝑖𝑖)
4𝑙 4 × 2
As the tube is open at both ends, therefore, next Equating Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get
shortest length for resonance = 2 × 20 = 40 cm. 𝑣 𝑣
= ⟹ 𝑙 = 4𝑚
2𝑙 8
3 (d) 6 (c)
Frequency of sonometer wire is given by Given, 𝑣789 = 𝑣
1 𝑇 ⟹ 𝑎𝜔 = 𝑣
𝑣= z 𝜆
2𝑙 𝑚 ⟹ 𝑎 × 2𝜋𝑣 = 𝑣𝜆 𝑜𝑟 𝑎 =
2𝜋
Where m is mass of string per unit length, and T is 7 (c)
tension in the string. For the given super imposing waves
Also, m=πr2d 4
𝑎" = 3, 𝑎1 = 4 and phase difference 𝜙 = 1
R being radius of string per unit length, and T is
tension in the string. ⇒ 𝐴 = ”𝑎"1 + 𝑎11 + 2𝑎" 𝑎1 cos 𝜋/2 = {(3)1 + (4)&
So,
=5
1 𝑇 8 (a)
𝑣= z 1
2𝑙 𝜋𝑟 𝑑 𝑣 − 𝑣< 330 − 33
𝑛; = 𝑛 i j=Š ‹ × 100 = 90 𝐻𝑧
Or 𝑣 330
9 (d)
√𝑇
𝑣∝ Speed of sound 𝑣 ∝ √𝑇 and it is independent of
𝑟
Or pressure
10 (d)
𝑣" 𝑇" 𝑟1 14 1
=z ׊ ‹ i j
𝑣1 𝑇1 𝑟" 𝜔1
𝑇 = 𝜇𝑣 1 = 𝜇 1 = 0.04 $.$$& 1 = 6.25𝑁
𝑇" 𝑘 14
i$.+$j
Given, 𝑟1 = 2𝑟" , 𝑇1 = , 𝑣" = 𝑣
2 11 (d)
Hence,
𝑣
= √2 × 2
𝑣1
Or 12 (c)
𝑣 Maximum number of beats =v+1-(v-1)=2
𝑣1 = 13 (a)
2√2
String will vibrate in 7 loops so it will have 8
nodes 7 antinodes.
4 (a) Number of harmonics = Number of loops =
Here, 𝑦 = 𝐴 sin(𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡) Number of antinodes ⇒ Number of antinodes = 7
Hence number of nodes = Number of antinodes +
𝑑𝑦 1
= 𝐴 cos(𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡) × (−𝜔)
𝑑𝑡 =7+1=8
𝑑𝑦 14 (b)
Š ‹ = 𝐴(−1)(−𝜔) = 𝐴𝜔 Only odd harmonics are present
𝑑𝑡 789

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15 (b) 18 (a)
On comparing the given equation with standard Frequency of third harmonic of closed pipe
equation
2𝜋 6.28 3𝑣
=5⇒𝜆= = 1.256𝑚 𝑛" =
𝜆 5 4𝑙
16 © Fundamental frequency of open pipe
Suppose two tuning forks are named 𝐴 and 𝐵 with
frequencies 𝑛= = 256 𝐻𝑧 (known), 𝑛> =? 2
𝑛1 =
(unknown), and beat frequency 𝑥 = 4 𝑏𝑝𝑠. 2𝑙
Known
Unknown
As 𝑛" − 𝑛1 = 100
nA nB
A
𝑣
x bps A = 100
4𝑙
Frequency of unknown tuning fork may be
𝑛> = 256 + 4 = 260 𝐻𝑧 and 𝑛> = 256 − 4 =
𝑣
252 𝐻𝑧 ∴ = 200 Hz
It is given that on sounding waxed fork 𝐴 (fork of 2𝑙
frequency 256 𝐻𝑧) and fork 𝐵, number of beats
(beat frequency) increases. It means that with 19 (b)
decrease in frequency of 𝐴, the difference in new The position 𝑓 such a wave changes in two
frequency of 𝐴 and the frequency of 𝐵 has dimensional plane with time. Therefore, (b)
increased. This is possible only when the represents the correct equation.
frequency of 𝐴 while decreasing is moving away
from the frequency of 𝐵. 20 ©
This is possible only if 𝑛> = 260 𝐻𝑧. Water waves are transverse as well as
Alternate method : It is given 𝑛= = 256 𝐻𝑧, 𝑛> =? longitudinal in nature
And 𝑥 = 4 𝑏𝑝𝑠 21 (a)
Also after loading 𝐴 (𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑛= ↓), beat frequency ?@ B A
Speed of sound 𝑣 = ” A ⇒ B! = ”A" [∵ 𝑃-
(𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑥) increases (↑). " !

Apply these informations in two possibilities to constant]

known the frequency of unknown tuning fork. 22 ©
𝑛= ↓ −𝑛> = 𝑥 …(i) Frequency of 2CA overtone 𝑛5 = 5𝑛" = 5 × 50 =
𝑛> − 𝑛= ↓= 𝑥 ↑ …(ii) 250𝐻𝑧
It is obvious that equation (i) is wrong (ii) is 23 (d)
correct so Given, f$ − fD = 2 … (i)
𝑛> = 𝑛= + 𝑥 = 256 + 4 = 260 𝐻𝑧 Frequency of fundamental mode for a closed
17 © organ pipe,
v" = 256 Hz 𝑣
𝑓: =
For tuning for v" − v" = ±5, 4𝐿:
v1 = frequency of piano Similarly frequency of fundamental mode an open
v1 = (256 + 5)Hz or (256 − 5)Hz orgen pipe,
𝑣
When tension is increased, the bear frequency 𝑓$ =
2𝐿$
decreases to 2 beats/s.
Given 𝐿: = 𝐿$
If we assume that the frequency of piano string is
⟹ 𝑓$ = 2𝑓: … (𝑖𝑖)
261 Hz, then on increasing tension, frequency,
From Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get
more than 261 Hz. But it is given that beat
𝑓$ = 4𝐻𝑧
frequency decreases to 2, therefore, 261 is not
And 𝑓: = 2𝐻𝑧
possible.
When the length of the open pipe is halved, its
Hence, 251 Hz i.e., 256-5 was the frequency of
frequency of fundamental mode is
piano string before increasing tension.

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 𝑣
𝑓$; = E
2 h 1# k
3𝜆1 4𝑙
= 2𝑓$ = 2 × 4𝐻𝑧 = 8𝐻𝑧 𝑙= , 𝜆1 =
4 3
When the length of the closed pipe is doubled, its
frequency of fundamental mode is
𝑣
𝑓$; = 5𝜆5 4𝑙
4(2𝐿: ) 𝑙= , 𝜆5 =
1 1 4 5
= 𝑓: = × 2 = 1𝐻𝑧
2 2 1 1
Hence, number of beats produced per second is ∴ 𝜆" : 𝜆1 : 𝜆5 = 1: :
3 5
𝑓$; = 𝑓 ; = 8 − 1 = 7
24 (c) 30 (a)
After reflection from rigid support, a wave suffers 𝑣 = 2𝑛(𝑙1 − 𝑙" ) = 2 × 325(77.4 − 25.4)cms!"
a phase change of 𝜋
25 (b)
𝜔 600 650 × 52
𝑣= = = 300ms!1 = ms!" = 338 ms!"
𝑘 2 100
26 (a) 31 (c)
Frequency of string = 440 ± 5 As fixed end is a node, therefore, distance
As frequency of tuning fork decreases beat 6
between two consecutive nodes = 1 = 10 cm
frequency also increases, therefore, frequency of
string = 445 𝐻𝑧
𝜆 = 20 𝑐𝑚 = 0.2 𝑚
27 (d)
𝑣 = 𝑛𝜆 ⇒ 𝜆 = 10 𝑐𝑚 As 𝑣 = 𝑣𝜆
14
Phase difference = × Path difference =
14 4
6 ∴ 𝑣 = 100 × 0.2 = 20 ms!"
× 2.5 =
"$ 1
32 (b)
EM waves do not require medium for their
28 (d) propagation
Comparing with standard wave equation 33 (b)
14 𝑛= = Known frequency = 288 𝑐𝑝𝑠, 𝑛> = ?
𝑦 = 𝑎 sin (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥), we get, 𝑣 = 200 𝑚/𝑠
6 𝑥 = 4 𝑏𝑝𝑠, which is decreasing (from 4 to 2) after
loading 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑥 ↓
29 (d) Unknown fork is loaded so 𝑛> ↓
As is clear from figure Hence 𝑛= − 𝑛> ↓= 𝑥 ↓ → Wrong
𝑛> ↓ −𝑛= ↓= 𝑥 ↓ → Correct
⇒ 𝑛> = 𝑛= + 𝑥 = 288 + 4 = 292 𝐻𝑧
34 (c)
Number of beats per second= 𝑛" ~ 𝑛1
𝜔" = 200𝜋 = 2𝜋𝑣"
⟹ 𝑛" = 1000
And 𝜔1 = 2008𝜋 = 2𝜋𝑛1
⟹ 𝑛1 = 1004
Number of beats heard per second
𝜆" =1004-1000=4
𝑙= , 𝜆 = 4𝑙
4 1 35 (c)

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