Physics · Science General

Acoustics and Sound Waves

2,160 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

Pitch of sound depends upon

  1. Frequency

  2. Time period

  3. Wavelength

  4. Amplitude
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

pitch of a sound is the measure of its frequency.

Multiple choice

The nature of sound waves is

  1. Mechanical waves

  2. Longitudinal

  3. Electromagnetic

  4. Transverse
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

sound waves are longitudinal waves.

Multiple choice

Range of audible sound is

  1. Less than 20 Hz

  2. More than 20,000 Hz

  3. 20-20,000 Hz

  4. More than 20 Hz
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The range of audible sound for human beings is 20-20,000 Hz.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is correct about sonorous substances?

  1. If a ringing sound is produced on striking the surface, the substance is known as sonorous, e.g., metals.

  2. If a substance is soluble in water, it is called sonorous.

  3. The substances that make a sound on heating are known as sonorous.

  4. Substances that react with dilute acids to produce salts are known as sonorous.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is correct, when we strike a metal plate with a metal spoon, a ringing sound is produced.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is correct? An echo will come back if you shout near a

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

Not all sounds made by animals serve for communication, and we have only to turn to that extraordinary discovery of echo - location in bats to see a case in which the voice plays a strictly utilitarian role. To get a full appreciation of what this means we must turn first to some recent human inventions. Everyone knows that if a person shouts in the vicinity of a wall or mountain side, an echo will come back. The further off this solid obstruction, the longer time will elapse for the return of the echo. A sound made by tapping on the hull of a ship will be reflected from the sea bottom, and by measuring the time interval between the taps and the receipt of the echoes, the depth of the sea at that point can be calculated. So was born the echo - sounding apparatus, now in general use in ships. Every solid object will reflect a sound, varying according to the size of and nature of the object. A shoal of fish will do this. So it is a comparatively simple step from locating the sea bottom to locating a shoal of fish. With experience, and with improved apparatus, it is now possible not only to locate a shoal, but to tell if it is herring, cod, or other well - known fish, by the pattern of its echo. A few years ago it was found that certain bats emit squeaks and by receiving the echoes they could locate and steer clear of obstacles or locate flying insects on which they feed. This echo - location in bats is often compared with radar, the principle of which is similar.

  1. solid obstruction

  2. wall

  3. mountainside

  4. sea
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Mentioned in lines 4 - 5.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is correct? In the first paragraph, the writer says that bats use sound for

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

Not all sounds made by animals serve for communication, and we have only to turn to that extraordinary discovery of echo - location in bats to see a case in which the voice plays a strictly utilitarian role. To get a full appreciation of what this means we must turn first to some recent human inventions. Everyone knows that if a person shouts in the vicinity of a wall or mountain side, an echo will come back. The further off this solid obstruction, the longer time will elapse for the return of the echo. A sound made by tapping on the hull of a ship will be reflected from the sea bottom, and by measuring the time interval between the taps and the receipt of the echoes, the depth of the sea at that point can be calculated. So was born the echo - sounding apparatus, now in general use in ships. Every solid object will reflect a sound, varying according to the size of and nature of the object. A shoal of fish will do this. So it is a comparatively simple step from locating the sea bottom to locating a shoal of fish. With experience, and with improved apparatus, it is now possible not only to locate a shoal, but to tell if it is herring, cod, or other well - known fish, by the pattern of its echo. A few years ago it was found that certain bats emit squeaks and by receiving the echoes they could locate and steer clear of obstacles or locate flying insects on which they feed. This echo - location in bats is often compared with radar, the principle of which is similar.

  1. communicating with one another

  2. communicating with animals in general

  3. some practical utility or purpose

  4. fun
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Not all sounds made by animals serve for communication, and we have to turn to that extraordinary discovery of echo - location in bats to see a case in which the voice plays a strictly utilitarian role.