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 physics wave motion wave velocity speed and acceleration of travelling wave speed of a travelling wave

If $n,2n,3n$ are the fundamental frequencies of the three segments into which a string is divided by placing required number of bridges below it. If $n _0$ is the fundamental frequency of the string, then 

  1. $n _0=3n$
  2. $n _0=6n$
  3. $n _0=\dfrac{3n}{5}$
  4. $n _0=\dfrac{6n}{11}$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The fundamental frequency of a string is f = v / (2L). When divided into segments of lengths L1, L2, L3, the frequencies are f1 = v / (2L1) = n, f2 = v / (2L2) = 2n, f3 = v / (2L3) = 3n. The total length L = L1 + L2 + L3 = v/(2n) + v/(4n) + v/(6n) = (6+3+2)v / 12n = 11v / 12n. The fundamental frequency of the whole string is f0 = v / (2L) = v / (2 * 11v / 12n) = 6n / 11.

Multiple choice physics wave motion wave velocity speed and acceleration of travelling wave speed of a travelling wave

A sonometre wire resonates with a given tuning forck forming standing waves with five antinodes between the two bridges when a mass of $9kg$is suspended from the wire. When this mass is replaced by mass $M$, the wire resonates with the same positions of the bridges. Then find the value of square roof of $M$.

  1. $5$
  2. $10$
  3. $25$
  4. $None$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The frequency of vibration of a string 

$n=\dfrac{p}{2l}\sqrt{\dfrac{T}{m}}$
Also number of loops = Number of antinodes.
Hence with 5 antinodes and hanging mass of 9 kg. we have p=5 and T=9g
So,
$n _1=\dfrac{5}{2l}\sqrt{\dfrac{9g}{m}}$
With 3 antinodes and hanging mass M we have p=3 and T=Mg so,
$n _2=\dfrac{3}{2l}\sqrt{\dfrac{Mg}{m}}$
$\because n _1=n _2$
$\dfrac{5}{2l}\sqrt{\dfrac{9g}{m}}=\dfrac{3}{2l}\sqrt{\dfrac{Mg}{m}}$
Squaring both side we get
$25\times9=9\times M$
$M=25\ kg$

Multiple choice physics wave motion wave velocity speed and acceleration of travelling wave speed of a travelling wave

A $12m$ long vibrating string has the speed of wave $48 m/s$ to what frequency it will resonate?

  1. $2cps$
  2. $4cps$
  3. $6cps$
  4. All of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Given, $S=48m/s,l=12m$

So, Equation of the fundamental frequency:

$v\dfrac{v}{2l}=\dfrac{48}{2\times12}=2cps$

The string will resonate at fundamental frequency as well as first overtone second overtone and so on.
Multiple choice physics wave motion wave velocity speed and acceleration of travelling wave speed of a travelling wave

An open tube is in resonance with string (frequency of vibration of tube in $n _{0}$. If tube is dipped on water is that 75% of length of tube is inside water, then the ratio of the frequency of tube to string now will be 

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. $\dfrac{2}{3}$
  4. $\dfrac{3}{2}$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
For open tube no $ = \dfrac{V}{2l} $
For closed tube length available for resonance
$ l^{1} ,l\times \dfrac{25}{100} = \frac{l}{4} $
fundamental frequency of water filled tube 
$ n _{1}\dfrac{V}{4l^{1}} = \frac{V}{4(l/4)} $ $(\because l^{1}= l/4) $
$ \therefore \dfrac{V}{l} = 2n _{0} = 1 $
$ = \dfrac{n}{n _{0}} = 2 $
Multiple choice physics wave motion wave velocity speed and acceleration of travelling wave speed of a travelling wave

A man generates a ssmmetrical pulse in a string by moving his hand up and down. At $t = 0$ the how hand mowes downuard: The pulse travels with speed of 3$\mathrm { m } / \mathrm { s }$ on the string $&$ his hands passe 6 in each secand from the mean position. Then the point on the string at a distance 3$\mathrm { m }$ will reach its topper arreme first time at time t=

  1. 0.25 sec.

  2. 1 sec

  3. $\frac { 13 } { 12 } \mathrm { sec }$
  4. none

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hand completes 6 oscillations per second, so period T = 1/6 s. At t=0, hand moves downward. Pulse travels at 3 m/s. Point at 3 m reaches upper extreme when pulse arrives and phase is maximum. Time = distance/speed + T/4 = 3/3 + (1/6)/4 = 1 + 1/24 = 25/24 ≈ 0.25 s.

Multiple choice physics properties of waves difference between interference and diffraction explaining wave phenomena diffraction

Diffraction is a term used to describe one aspect of wave behaviour.
What does diffraction make possible?

  1. The ability to hear around corners

  2. The ability to hear high frequency and low frequency sound waves

  3. The ability to hear loud and quiet sounds

  4. The ability to hear sound through a brick wall

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Diffraction is the slight bending of light as it passes around the edge of an object. The amount of bending depends on the relative size of the wavelength of light to the size of the opening. If the opening is much larger than the light's wavelength, the bending will be almost unnoticeable.

So, diffraction makes the sound wave hear around corner.

Multiple choice chemistry chemistry of non-metals physical properties of non-metals uses of metals and non metals physical properties of metals and non-metals

A bar of zinc generates a characteristic sound when bent, similar to_________.

  1. Tin cry

  2. Water splashing

  3. Glass breaking

  4. None of above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A bar of zinc generates a characteristic sound when bent, similar to tin cry. A tin cry is the characteristic sound heard when a bar of tin is bent. Variously described as a "screaming" or "crackling" sound, the effect is caused by the crystal twinning in the metal.

Multiple choice
  1. strumming guitar strings

  2. rain falling on a window

  3. a helicopter flying overhead

  4. a meteor traveling through outer space

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A meteor traveling through space does not produce sound because there is no medium (like air) for sound waves to travel through in a vacuum. The other options involve vibrations in air or solids that create audible sound.