Physics · Science General

Acoustics and Sound Waves

2,006 Questions

Acoustics and sound waves deal with mechanical vibrations traveling through media like air and water. Key concepts include wave reflection, beats, echoes, the Mach number, and infrasound. These physics fundamentals are regularly tested in general science sections of multiple competitive exams.

Sound wave propagationEchoes and reflectionWave interferenceMach numberInfrasound frequency

Acoustics and Sound Waves Questions

Multiple choice

The quality of a musical note does not depend on

  1. amplitude of the wave

  2. relative intensities of harmonies

  3. number of harmonics

  4. order of harmonics present
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Quality of a musical note does not depend on amplitude of the wave.

Multiple choice

There are 3 sound sources producing sounds of 20 dB, 40 dB and 80 dB. Which sound will we hear the loudest?

  1. 20 dB

  2. 40 dB

  3. 80 dB

  4. All the 3 sounds will be equally loud.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The loudness of a sound depends on its amplitude. When the amplitude of vibration is large, the sound produced is loud and vice-versa. The loudness of a sound is expressed in decibels. Hence, the sound with a higher decibel will be heard louder.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sounds do(es) not result in noise pollution?

  1. Horns of buses and trucks

  2. Sound produced by a running genset

  3. Sound produced by the vibrating string of a sitar

  4. Sound of students speaking together in a classroom
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sound produced by the vibrating string of a sitar gives out a musical sound. Thus, it does not produce noise pollution.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true?

(a) Noise pollution can cause partial hearing impairment. (b) Air conditioners do not contribute to noise pollution. (c) Presence of excessive sound in environment is termed as noise pollution.

  1. Only (a)

  2. Both (a) and (c)

  3. Both (b) and (c)

  4. Only (b)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Noise pollution causes partial hearing impairment. Presence of excess sound in environment is termed as noise pollution. Air conditioners contribute to noise pollution because of their constant hum.