Sound Wave

1. A person can hear sound waves in the frequency range 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Find the minimum and the maximum
wavelengths of sound that is audible to the person. The speed of sound is 360 m/s.
HCV_Ch.16_Ex_4
Ans. 18 mm, 18 m

2. Calculate the bulk modulus of air from the following data about a sound wave of wavelength 35 cm travelling
in air. The pressure at a point varies between (1.0 × 105 ± 14) Pa and the particles of the air vibrate in simple
harmonic motion of amplitude 5.5 × 10–6 m. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_16
Ans. 1.4 × 105 N/m2

3. The intensity of sound from a point source is 1.0 × 10–8 W/m2 at a distance of 5.0 m from the source. What
will be the intensity at a distance of 25 m from the source ? HCV_Ch.16_Ex_18
Ans. 4.0 × 10–10 W/m2

4. The sound level at a point 5.0 m away from a point source is 40 dB. What will be the level at a point 50 m
away from the source ? HCV_Ch.16_Ex_19
Ans. 20 dB

5. If the intensity of sound is doubled, by how many decibels does the sound level increase?
HCV_Ch.16_Ex_20
Ans. 3 dB

6. The noise level in a class-room in absence of the teacher is 50 dB when 50 students are present. Assuming
that on the average each student output same sound energy per second, what will be the noise level if the
number of students is increased to 100 ? HCV_Ch.16_Ex_23
Ans. 53 dB

7. In a Quincke’s experiment the sound detected is changed from a maximum to a minimum when the sliding
tube is moved through a distance of 2.50 cm. Find the frequency of sound if the speed of sound in air is 340
m/s. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_24
Ans. 3.4 kHz

8. In a Quincke’s experiment, the sound intensity has a minimum value  at a particular position. As the sliding
tube is pulled out by a distance of 16.5 mm, the intensity increases to a maximum of
9. Take the speed of sound in air to be 330 m/s. (a) Find the frequency of the sound source.
(b) Find the ratio of the amplitudes of the two waves arriving at the detector assuming that it does not change
much between the positions of minimum intensity and maximum intensity. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_25
Ans. (a) 5.0 kHz (b) 2

9. A source S and a detector D are placed at a distance d apart. A big cardboard is placed at a distance H from
the source and the detector as shown in figure. The source emits a wave of wavelength = d/2 which is
received by the detector after reflection from the cardboard. It is found to be in phase with the direct wave
received from the source. By what minimum distance should the cardboard be shifted away so that the
reflected wave becomes out of phase with the direction wave ? HCV_Ch.16_Ex_28
Ans. 0.13 d

10. Two stereo speakers are separated are separated by a distance of 2.40 m. A person stands at a distance of
3.20 m directly in front of one of the speakers as shown in figure. Find the frequencies in the audible range
(20-20000 Hz) for which the listener will hear a minimum sound intensity. Speed of sound in air = 320 m/s.
HCV_Ch.16_Ex_29
Ans. 200 (2n + 1) Hz where n = 0, 1, 2, ....... 49

11. Two audio speakers are kept some distance apart and are driven by the same amplifier system. A person is
sitting at a place 6.0 m from one of the speakers and 6.4 m from the other. If the sound signal is continuously
varied from 500 Hz to 5000 Hz, what are the frequencies for which there is a distractive interference at the
place of the listener? Speed of sound in air = 320 m/s. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_26
Ans. 1200 Hz, 2000 Hz, 2800 Hz, 3600 Hz and 4400 Hz

12. Find the fundamental, first overtone and second overtone frequencies of an open organ pipe of length 20 cm.
Speed of sound in air is 340 m/s. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_36
Ans. 850 Hz, 1700 Hz and 2550 Hz

13. A closed organ pipe can vibrate at a minimum frequency of 500 Hz. Find the length of the tube. Speed of
sound in air = 340 m/s. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_37
Ans. 17 cm

14. A tuning fork produces 4 beats per second with another tuning fork of frequency 256 Hz. The first one is now
loaded with a little wax and the beat frequency is found to increase to 6 per second. What was the original
frequency of the tuning fork ? HCV_Ch.16_Ex_57
Ans.252 Hz

15. A source S and a detector D are placed at a distance d apart. A big cardboard is placed at a distance H from
the source and the detector as shown in figure. The source emits a wave of wavelength = d/2 which is
received by the detector after reflection from the cardboard. It is found to be in phase with the direct wave
received from the source. By what minimum distance should the cardboard be shifted away so that the
reflected wave becomes out of phase with the direction wave ? HCV_Ch.16_Ex_28
Ans. 0.13 d

16. Two stereo speakers are separated are separated by a distance of 2.40 m. A person stands at a distance of
3.20 m directly in front of one of the speakers as shown in figure. Find the frequencies in the audible range
(20-20000 Hz) for which the listener will hear a minimum sound intensity. Speed of sound in air = 320 m/s.
HCV_Ch.16_Ex_29

Ans. 200 (2n + 1) Hz where n = 0, 1, 2, ....... 49

17. Two audio speakers are kept some distance apart and are driven by the same amplifier system. A person is
sitting at a place 6.0 m from one of the speakers and 6.4 m from the other. If the sound signal is continuously
varied from 500 Hz to 5000 Hz, what are the frequencies for which there is a distractive interference at the
 place of the listener? Speed of sound in air = 320 m/s. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_26
Ans. 1200 Hz, 2000 Hz, 2800 Hz, 3600 Hz and 4400 Hz

18. Find the fundamental, first overtone and second overtone frequencies of an open organ pipe of length 20 cm.
Speed of sound in air is 340 m/s. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_36
Ans. 850 Hz, 1700 Hz and 2550 Hz

19. A closed organ pipe can vibrate at a minimum frequency of 500 Hz. Find the length of the tube. Speed of
sound in air = 340 m/s. HCV_Ch.16_Ex_37
Ans. 17 cm

20. A tuning fork produces 4 beats per second with another tuning fork of frequency 256 Hz. The first one is now
loaded with a little wax and the beat frequency is found to increase to 6 per second. What was the original
frequency of the tuning fork ? HCV_Ch.16_Ex_57
Ans.252 Hz

21. Two identical tuning fork vibrating at the same frequency 256 Hz are kept fixed at some distance apart. A
listener runs between the forks at a speed of 3.0 m/s so that he approaches one tuning fork and recedes from
the other (figure). Find the beat frequency observed by the listener. Speed of sound in air = 332 m/s.

[HCV CH-16 Q.70]

Ans. 4.6 Hz

22. Figure shows a person standing somewhere in between two identical tuning forks, each vibrating at 512 Hz.
If both the tuning fork move towards right at a speed of 5.5 m/s, find the number of beats heard by the listener.
Speed of sound in air = 330 m/s.

[HCV CH-16 Q.71]

Ans. 17.5 Hz, may not be able to distinguish

23. A small source of sound vibrating at frequency 500 Hz is rotated in a circle of radius 100/p cm at a constant
angular speed of 5.0 revolutions per second. A listener situates himself in the plane of the circle. Find the
minimum and the maximum frequency of the sound observed. Speed of sound in air = 332 m/s.
Ans. 485 Hz and 515 Hz [HCV CH-16 Q.72]

24. A traffic policeman sound a whistle to stop a car-driver approaching towards him. The car-driver does not stop
and takes the plea in court that because of the Doppler shift, the frequency of the whistle reaching him might
have gone beyond the audible limit of 20 kHz and he did not hear it. Experiments showed that the whistle
emits a sound with frequency close to 16 kHz. Assuming that the claim of the driver is true, how fast was he
driving the car? Take the speed of sound in air to be 330 m/s. Is this speed partical with today’s technology?
[HCV CH-16 Q.74]
Ans. 300 km/h

25. A boy riding on a bicycle going at 12 km/h towards a vertical wall wishes at his dog on the ground. If the
frequency of the whistle is 1600 Hz and the speed of sound in air is 330 m/s, find (a) the frequency of the
whistle as received by the wall (b) the frequency of the reflected whistle as received by the boy.
Ans.(a) 1616 Hz (b) 1632 Hz [HCV CH-16 Q.81]

26. Figure shows a source of sound moving along the X-axis at a speed of 22 m/s continuously emitting a sound
of frequency 2.0 kHz which travels in air at a speed of 330 m from the origin. At t = 0, the source crosses the
origin P. (a) When does the sound emitted from the source at P reach the listener Q? (b) What will be the
frequency heard by the listener at this instant? (c) Where will the source be at this instant ?
 [HCV CH-16 Q.85]

Ans. (a) t = 1 sec (b) 2.0 k Hz (c) at x = 22 metre

27. Consider the wave represented by, y = cos (500 t  70 x) where y is in mm, x in m and t in seconds.
Which of the following is/are true ? [1.8_ Sound waves]
(A) the wave is a standing wave
(B*) the speed of the wave is 50/7 ms1
(C) the frequency of oscillation is 500  2  Hz
(D*) two nearest points in the same phase have separation 20  /7 cm.

28. A bird is singing on a tree and a man is hearing at a distance ‘r’ from the bird. Calculate the displacement
of the man towards the bird so that the loudness heard by man increases by 20 dB. [ Assume that the
motion of man is along the line joining the bird and the man] [Made 2004] M.Bank_Sound_3.2

Sol. Loudness  = 10 log10
0

2 P
  2 –  1 = 10log10 &  =
1 4r 

2 r12
 = 2
1 r2

r2 r
 ( + 20) –  = 10 log10 = 20 log10
r22 r2

r
 = 10  r2 = 0.1r
r2

9r
 shift = r – 0.1 r = 0.9 r. Ans.
10

29. Two electric trains run at the same speed of 72 km/h along the same track and in the same direction with a
separation of 2.4 km between them. The two trains simultaneously sound brief whistles. A person is situated
at a perpendicular distance of 500 m from the track and is equidistant from the two trains at the instant of the
whisting. If both the whistles were at 500 Hz and the speed of sound in air is 340 m/s, find the frequencies
heard by the person. [Q.68_Bank_RKV Bank_HCV1_Ch.16]
Ans. 529 Hz, 474 Hz

30. Two submarines are approaching each other in a calm sea. The first submarine travels at a speed of 36 km/
h and the other at 54 km/h relative to the water. The first submarines sends a sound signal (sound waves in
water are also called sonar) at a frequency of 2000 Hz. (a) At what frequency is this signal received by the
second submarine ? (b) The signal is reflected from the second submarine. At what frequency is this signal
received by the first submarine. Take the speed of the sound wave in water to be 1500 m/s.
[Q.76_Bank_RKV Bank_HCV1_Ch.16]
Ans. (a) 2034 Hz (b) 2068 Hz

31. A source emitting sound at frequency 4000 Hz, is moving along the Y-axis with a speed of 22m/s. A listener
is situated on the ground at the point (660 m, 0). Find the frequency of the sound received by the listener at
the instant the source crosses the origin. Speed of sound in air = 330m/s.
 [Q.86_Bank_RKV Bank_HCV1_Ch.16]
Ans. 4018 Hz

32. S1 & S2 are two coherent sources of sound having no initial phase difference. The velocity of sound is 330 m/
s. No minima will be formed on the line passing through S2 and perpendicular to the line joining S1 and S2 ,
if the frequency of both the sources is : [ Made RKV 2005 ] [RRB-2007] [M.Bank_Sound _4.5]

(A*) 50 Hz (B) 60 Hz (C) 70 Hz (D) 80 Hz

Sol. For minimum,

x = (2n – 1)
2
The maximum possible path difference = distance between the sources = 3m.
For no minimum

>3
2
>6
V 330
 f= < = 55.
 6
 If f < 55 Hz, no minimum will occur.

33. If the fundamental frequency of a pipe closed at one end is 512Hz. The fundamental frequency of a pipe
of the same dimensions but open at both ends will be: M.Bank_Sound_5.13
(A*) 1024 Hz (B) 512Hz (C) 256 Hz (D) 128Hz
Sol. The fundamental modes of vibration of a pipe closed at one end and open at both ends (of same length)
are shown in figure.

The wavelength in figure (b) is half of that in figure (a). Hence the fundamental frequency in figure (b) is
double that in figure (a).
 f open = 2 × 512 = 1024 Hz

34. An open pipe of length 33 cm resonates to a frequency of 1000Hz. The mode of vibration is: (velocity of sound
= 330 m/s) [M.Bank(07-08)_Sound waves_5.16]
(A) Fundamental (B*) The 2nd harmonic (C) The 3rd harmonic (D) The 4th harmonic
V 330  100
Sol. As ; = = 500 Hz
2 2  33
V
In second harmonic frequency = = 1000 Hz.

35. The two pipes are submerged in sea water, arranged as shown in figure. Pipe A with length L A = 1.5 m
and one open end, contains a small sound source that sets up the standing wave with the second
lowest resonant frequency of that pipe. Sound from pipe A sets up resonance in pipe B, which has both
ends open. The resonance is at the second lowest resonant frequency of pipe B. The length of the pipe
B is : [Made AKS 2006_GRSTx] [M_Bank_Sound wave_6.3]

(A) 1 m (B) 1.5 m (C*) 2 m (D) 3 m

 3V
Sol. (C) For pipe A, second resonant frequency is third harmonic thus f = 4L
A

2V
For pipe B, second resonant frequency is second harmonic thus f = 2L
B

3V 2V
Equating, 4L A
= 2L
B

4 4
 LB = L = .(1.5) = 2m.
3 A 3

36. An open organ pipe containing air resonates in fundamental mode due to a tuning fork. The measured
values of length l (in cm) of the pipe and radius r (in cm) of the pipe are l = 94 ± 0.1, r = 5 ± 0.05. The
velocity of the sound in air is accurately known. The maximum percentage error in the measurement of
the frequency of that tuning fork by this experiment, will be [M.Bank_Sound_5.3] [Made 2005, RKV]
(A*) 0.16 (B) 0.64 (C) 1.2 (D) 1.6
v
Sol. f= where e = end correction = 0.6 r
2(  2e)

v v
 f= =
2(  2  0.6r ) 2(   1.2 r )

f v (  1.2 r ) v   1.2  r

 = –   1.2 r = –   1.2 r
f v v
v
here = 0 (given)
v

f   1.2 r
× 100 = –   1.2 r  100
f
for maximum % error :  l = 0.1, r = 0.05
 f  0.1  1.2  0.05
  100  = × 100 = 0.16% ..... Ans.
 f max 94  1.2  5

37. Both a point source of sound & an observer are at rest. If air starts blowoing then M.Bank_Sound_8.30
(A*) The velocity of sound will change
(B) The frequency detected by the observer will change
(C*) The wavelength of sound will change
(D) The intensity of the sound will change.

38. The equation of displacement due to a sound wave is s = s0 sin2 ( t  k x). If the bulk modulus of the medium
is B, then the equation of pressure variation due to that sound is [Made 2004] [M.Bank(07-08)_Sound
waves_2.2]
(A*) B k s0 sin (2  t  2 k x) (B)  B k s0 sin (2  t  2 k x)
(C) B k s0 cos2 ( t  k x) (D)  B k s0 cos2 ( t  k x)
Sol. The equation of pressure variation due to sound is
ds d
p=–B =–B [s sin2 (t – kx)]
dx dx 0
= B ks0 sin (2t – 2kx)

39. Two sound waves move in the same direction in the same medium. The pressure amplitude of the waves are
equal but the wavelength of the first wave is double that of the second. Let the average power transmitted
across a cross section by the two wave be P1 and P2 and their displacement amplitudes are s1 and s2 then
[M_Bank_Sound Wave_3.16]
(A*) P1/P2 = 1 (B) P1/P2 = 2 (C) s1/s2 = 1/2 (D*) s1/s2 = 2/1

40. An interference is observed due to two coherent sources ‘A’ & ‘B’ separated by a distance 4 along the y
axis where  is the wavelength of the source. A detector D is moved on the positive xaxis. The number of
 points on the xaxis excluding the points, x = 0 & x =  at which maximum will be observed is
[M_Bank(07-08)_Sound waves_4.1]

(A*) three (B) four (C) two (D) infinite

41. Two coherent sources S1 and S2 separated by distance 2 emit light of wavelength  in phase as shown in
the Fig. A circular wire of radius 100 is placed in such a way that S1S2 lies in its plane and the mid-point of
S1S2 is at the centre of wire. [M.Bank(07-08)_Sound waves_4.11]

(i) Find the angular positions  on the wire for which constructive interference takes place. Hence or otherwise
find the total number of maxima.
(ii) Find the angular positions  (in the first quardrant) on the wire for which intensity reduces to half of its
maximum value. [Waves, Apex]
Ans. (i)  = 0° , 60° , 90° , 120° , 180°, 240° , 270° , 300° Total Maxima = 8

1  1  1  3  1 5  –1 7 
(ii)  = cos   , cos   , cos   , cos  
8 8 8 8

=0
= =

Sol. =2 S1 S2 =2

2

= =

=0

 =  will occur at
cos =   (2) cos = 
 = 60°
so other positions will be  = 180 - 60° , 180 + 60° , 360 - 60°
 max
(ii) =  = 0 + 0 + 2  0  0 cos
2
4 0
= 20 + 20 cos
2
get cos = 0

     
= =   =
2  2   2  4
 
to get path difference we have dcos =
4 4
1 1 1 
 cos =  = cos  
8 8

42. S1 and S2 are two coherent sources of radiations separated by distance 100.25 , where  is the wave length
of radiation. S1 leads S2 in phase by /2. A and B are two points on the line joining S1 and S2 as shown in
figure. The ratio of amplitudes of source S1 and S2 are in ratio 1:2. The ratio of intensity at A to that of B
 A 
  is
 
 B 
 [Made 2005, MPS]

1
(A)  (B*) (C) 0 (D) 9
9
 
Sol. For interference at A : S2 is behind of S1 by a distance of 100 + .(equal to phase difference ). Further S2
4 2

lags S1 by . Hence the waves from S1 and S2 interfere at A with a phase difference of 200.5 + 0.5 = 201
2
=
Hence the net amplitude at A is 2a – a = a
 
For interference at B : S2 is ahead of S1 by a distance of 100 + .(equal to phase difference ). Further S2
4 2

lags S1 by .
2
Hence waves from S1 and S2 interfere at B with a phase difference of 200.5 – 0.5 = 200 = 0.
Hence the net amplitude at A is 2a + a = 3a
  A   a 2 1
Hence    =   =
 B   3a  9

43. Figure shown is a graph, at a certain time t, of the displacement function S(x,t) of three sound waves
1,2 and 3 as marked on the curves that travel along x–axis through air. If P 1,P2 and P3 represent their
pressure amplitudes respectively, then correct relation between them is :
[Made AKS 2006_GRSTx] [M. Bank_Sound Wave_1.8]

(A) P1 > P2 > P3 (B*) P3 > P2 > P1 (C) P1 = P2 = P3 (D) P2 > P3 > P1
 2  1
Sol. (B) P0 = B.K.S0 = B   S0 P0 
   
Thus, pressure amplitude is highest for minimum wavelength, other parameters B and S 0 being same
for all. From given graphs.
3 < 2 < 1 . Hence (B).

44. Two loudspeakers 1.0 m apart are coherent sources which emit sound waves of wavelength 1.0 m. A
microphone moving along OP records the first minimum at P. If L 2P is 4 m, L1P is equal to :
[M_Bank(07-08)_Sound waves_4.19]
L1

P
First Minima

1m O

4m

L2

(A) 2.5 m (B) 3 m (C*) 3.5 m (D) 4 m

45. A closed organ pipe has length ‘ ‘. The air in it is vibrating in 3rd overtone with maximum amplitude ‘ a
‘. Find the amplitude at a distance of  /7 from closed end of the pipe. [ Made 2003 ]
[M.Bank(07-08)_Sound waves_5.2]
Sol. The figure shows variation of displacement of particles in a closed organ pipe for 3 rd overtone.
7 4  
For third overtone  = or  = or =
4 7 4 7


Hence the amplitude at P at a distance from closed end is ‘a’ because there is an antinode at that
7
point
Alternate
Because there is node at x = 0 the displacement amplitude as function of x can be written as A = a sin
2
kx = a sin x

7 4
For third overtone  = or  =
4 7
7   
 A = a sin = a sin =a at x =
2 7 2 7
 A=a

46. Two sources moving in the same direction along the same line with equal velocity 20 m/sec are emitting
sound waves given by, y1 = 2 sin 2  (80 t  x/4) and y2 = 2 sin 2  (80 t + x/4) where ' x ' is in meters and
' t ' is in seconds. An observer is at rest in between the sources. The beat frequency heard by the
observer: [Made 2004] [M_Bank(07-08)_Sound waves_7.4]
(A) is slightly less than 10 (B*) is slightly greater than 10
(C) is exactly 10 (D) will not be able to detect any beat.

47. S1 & S2 are two coherent sources of sound having no initial phase difference. The velocity of sound is 330 m/
s. No minima will be formed on the line passing through S2 and perpendicular to the line joining S1 and S2 ,
if the frequency of both the sources is : [ Made RKV 2005 ] [RRB-2007] [M.Bank_Sound _4.5]

(A*) 50 Hz (B) 60 Hz (C) 70 Hz (D) 80 Hz

Sol. For minimum,

x = (2n – 1)
2
The maximum possible path difference = distance between the sources = 3m.
For no minimum

>3
2
>6
V 330
 f= < = 55.
 6
 If f < 55 Hz, no minimum will occur.

48. If the fundamental frequency of a pipe closed at one end is 512Hz. The fundamental frequency of a pipe
of the same dimensions but open at both ends will be: M.Bank_Sound_5.13
(A*) 1024 Hz (B) 512Hz (C) 256 Hz (D) 128Hz
Sol. The fundamental modes of vibration of a pipe closed at one end and open at both ends (of same length)
are shown in figure.
 The wavelength in figure (b) is half of that in figure (a). Hence the fundamental frequency in figure (b) is
double that in figure (a).
 f open = 2 × 512 = 1024 Hz

49. If the fundamental frequency of a pipe closed at one end is 512Hz. The fundamental frequency of a pipe
of the same dimensions but open at both ends will be: M.Bank_Sound_5.23
(A*) 1024 Hz (B) 512Hz (C) 256 Hz (D) 128Hz
Sol. The fundamental modes of vibration of a pipe closed at one end and open at both ends (of same length)
are shown in figure.

The wavelength in figure (b) is half of that in figure (a). Hence the fundamental frequency in figure (b) is
double that in figure (a).
 f open = 2 × 512 = 1024 Hz

50. The frequency of a man’s voice is 300 Hz and its wavelength is 1 meter. If the wavelength of a child’s voice is
1.5 m, then the frequency of the child’s voice is: M.Bank_Sound W._1.14
(A*) 200 Hz (B) 150 Hz (C) 400 Hz (D) 350 Hz.
[Q.32/RK_BM/Sound waves]
Sol. v = mm = cc = 300 × 1 = 1.5 × 

 = 200

51. The fundamental frequency of an organ pipe closed at one end is 340 Hz. If the speed of sound in air is
340 ms–1, the length of the organ pipe is ______ cm. M.Bank_Sound_5.1
(Ans. 25)

52. If the frequency of a wave is increased by 25 %, then the change in its wavelength will be:
(medium not changed) [banknew_waves_131] [M.Bank_Sound waves_1.7]
(A) 20 % increase (B*) 20 % decrease (C) 25 % increase (D) 25 % decrease
Sol. Since, the medium has not changed, speed of wave remains same.
 v = f = constant
f 11 = f 2 2
 f 11 = (1.25f 1) 2 ( frequency increased by 25%)
1
 2 =  2 decreases.
1.25
1   2
 % change in wavelength = × 100
1

1
1 
1.25 0.25 100
= × 100 = × 100 = = 20%
1 1.25 5
Hence (B)

53. A man swimming in sea water at a velocity which is 1% of the velocity of sound in sea water, whistles
at a frequency f0 towards an underwater vertical cliff. The reflected frequency experienced by the swimmer
is [M.Bank_Sound wave_8.19]
 (A) 0.99f 0 (B) f 0 (C) 1.01f 0 (D*) 1.02f 0

54. A train moving towards a tunnel in a huge mountain with a speed of 12 m/s sounds its whistle. If the driver
hears 6 beats per second & speed of sound in air is 332 m/s, the frequency of the whistle is
[Made VSS 2006, GRSTX] [M.Bank_Sound wave_8.12]
(A*) 80 Hz (B) 120 Hz (C) 160 Hz (D) 240 Hz
Sol. Let f be the frequency of the whistle, f1 be the frequency of echo from the mountain and f2 be the frequency of
the sound as receieved by the train.
v
f1 = f v  v
car

 v  v car   v  v car 
f 2 = f1  = f  

 v   v  v car 

 2v car 
Beat frequency = (f2 – f) =  v  v  f
 =6
 car 
6  320
 f= = 80 Hz Ans.
24

55. How long will it take sound waves to travel a distance l between points A & B if the air temperature
between them varies linearly from T 1 to T 2 ? (The velocity of sound in air at temperature T is given by v
=  T , where  is a constant) [banknew_waves_140] [1.15_Sound waves]

2 T1 2
(A) (B)   (C) T1  T2 .   (D*)
 T1 T2 T2   T2  T1 
v1  v 2  T1   T2
Sol. <v> = =
2 2
2
 Time taken =  T  T
1 2  
56. x = x1 + x 2 (where x1 = 4 cos t and x2 = 3 sin t) is the equation of motion of a particle along
x-axis. The phase different between x1 and x is : [Made - 2005 P1-P6, RKV Sir] [4.7_ Sound waves]
(A*) 37° (B) 53° (C) 90° (D) none of these

Sol. x = x0sin (t + ) = x0sin t cos  + x0 cos t sin . Comparing with given equation.
Thus x0 cos  = 3 and x0sin  = 4
4
Dividing we get tan  = or  = 53°
3
x1 = 4 cost = 4sin (t + 90°)
 = 90° – 53° = 37°

57. Consider the wave represented by, y = cos (500 t  70 x) where y is in mm, x in m and t in seconds.
Which of the following is/are true ? [1.8_ Sound waves]
(A) the wave is a standing wave
(B*) the speed of the wave is 50/7 ms1
(C) the frequency of oscillation is 500  2  Hz
(D*) two nearest points in the same phase have separation 20  /7 cm.
58. Match the columns A & B. [Made 2003] M.Bank_Sound_1.2
Column A Column B
(a) Pitch (i) Quality
(b) Loudness (ii) Intensity
(c) Wave form (iii) Frequency

(A) a (i), b (iii), c (ii) (B) b (ii), c (iii), a (i)

(C*) a (iii), b (ii), c (i) (D) a (iii), b (i), c (ii)
59. Which of the following is/ are correct. M.Bank_Sound_2.7

(A) (B)

(C*) (D)

RT
Sol. Velocity of sound in air (V) =
M
 V2T (in kelvin)
not V2  T (in 0C)
Hence (B) is incorrect.
Velocity of transverse wave in a string :
T
V= = V2  T

Hence (C) is a correct graph.

u
60. A wall is moving with velocity u and a source of sound moves with velocity in the same direction as shown
2
in the figure. Assuming that the sound travels with velocity 10u. Find the ratio of incident sound wavelength
on the wall to the reflected sound wavelength by the wall. [Made 2005] M.Bank_Sound_1.4

u
10u  19u
Sol. i = wavelength of the incident sound = 2 =
f 2f

10u  u
f i = frequency of the incident sound = f = 18 f = f r = frequency of the reflected sound
u 19
10u 
2

10u  u 11u 11 19 u

r = wavelength of the reflected sound = fr
= 18 f
× 19 = .
18 f
i 19 u 18f 9
=  = Ans.
r 2f 11 19u 11

61. A bird is singing on a tree and a man is hearing at a distance ‘r’ from the bird. Calculate the displacement
of the man towards the bird so that the loudness heard by man increases by 20 dB. [ Assume that the
motion of man is along the line joining the bird and the man] [Made 2004] M.Bank_Sound_3.2
 
Sol. Loudness  = 10 log10
0

2 P
  2 –  1 = 10log10 &  =
1 4r 

2 r12
 = 2
1 r2

r2 r
 ( + 20) –  = 10 log10 = 20 log10
r22 r2

r
 = 10  r2 = 0.1r
r2

9r
 shift = r – 0.1 r = 0.9 r. Ans.
10

62. Ultrasonic, infrasonic and audio waves travel through a medium with speeds Vu’ Vi and Va respectively then
M.Bank_Sound_1.13
(A*) Vu’ Vi and Va are equal. (B) Vu > Va > Vi
(C) Vu < Va < Vi (D) Va < Vu and Vu  Vi
Sol. All three are electromagnetic waves, hence they will travel with the speed of light.
Hence (A).

63. Figure shown is a graph, at a certain time t, of the displacement function S(x,t) of three sound waves
1,2 and 3 as marked on the curves that travel along x–axis through air. If p 1,p2 and p3 represent their
pressure amplitudes respectively, then correct relation between them is : M.Bank_Sound_3.6
[Made AKS 2006_GRSTx]

(A) P1 > P2 > P3 (B*) P3 > P2 > P1 (C) P1 = P2 = P3 (D) P2 > P3 > P1
 2  1
Sol. (B) P0 = B.K.S0 = B   S0 P0 
   
Thus, pressure amplitude is highest for minimum wavelength, other parameters B and S 0 being same
for all. From given graphs.
3 < 2 < 1 .
Hence (B).
64. In Quincke's tube a detector detects minimum intensity. Now one of the tube is displaced by 5 cm.
During displacement detector detects maximum intensity 10 times, then finally a minimum intensity
(when displacement is complete). The wavelength of sound is: [Made 2004] M.Bank_Sound_4.6
(A) 10/9 cm (B*) 1 cm (C) 1/2 cm (D) 5/9 cm
Hint : Path difference introduced due to displacement of tube = 2x = 10 cm due to one wavelength
change maxima / minima will be attained once hence for 10 maxima’s
P = 10  = 10 cm so  = 10 cm. Ans.

65. In the figure shown a source of sound of frequency 510 Hz mov es with constant v elocity
v s = 20 m/s in the direction shown. The wind is blowing at a constant velocity v w = 20 m/s towards an
observer who is at rest at point B. Find the frequency detected by the observer corresponding to the
sound emitted by the source at initial position A. (speed of sound relative to air = 330 m/s)
 [Made RKV - 2005] M.Bank_Sound_8.10

Sol. Apparent frequency

(u  v w ) 510 (330  20) 350
n = n (u  v  v cos 60) = 330  20  20 cos 60 = 510 × = 525 Hz Ans.
w s 340

66. Two sound waves move in the same direction in the same medium. The pressure amplitude of the waves are
equal but the wavelength of the first wave is double that of the second. Let the average power transmitted
across a cross section by the two wave be P1 and P2 and their displacement amplitudes are s1 and s2 then
M.Bank_Sound Waves_1.12
(A*) P1/P2 = 1 (B) P1/P2 = 2 (C) s1/s2 = 1/2 (D*) s1/s2 = 2/1

67. A person is talking in a small room and the sound intensity level is 60 dB everywhere within the room.
If there are eight people talking simultaneously in the room, what is the sound intensity level ?
[Made AKS, 2006, JPT-3] M.Bank_Sound waves_3.12
(A) 60 dB (B*) 69 dB (C) 74 dB (D) 81 dB
Sol. Let intensity due to a single person = 
then 10 log /0 = 60
Also, ntensity due to 8 person = 8
final decibal level
 8I   I 
 
= 10 log  I  = 10  log I  log 8 
 0  0 
= 60 + 10 log 8 = 60 + 30 log 2 = 60 + 30 (.3010)
~ 69.
–

68. A source of ocillations with frequency 300Hz and a reciever are located along the same line normal to the wall
as shown in the fig. Both the source and the receiver are stationary and the wall receeds from the source with
velocity 20ms1. Find the beat frequency registered by the receiver.[Waves]M.Bank_Sound waves_8.25

69. A string 25 cm long fixed at both ends and having a mass of 2.5 g is under tension. A pipe closed from one
end is 40 cm long. When the string is set vibrating in its first overtone and the air in the pipe in its fundamental
frequency, 8 beats per second are heard. It is observed that decreasing the tension in the string decreases
the beat frequency. If the speed of sound in air is 320 m/s. Find tension in the string.
M.Bank_Sound waves_7.18
2.5
Sol.  = 0.1 g / cm = 10–2 Kg/m
25

Ist overtone

 s = 25 cm = 0.25 m
 1 T
fs =
s 
pipe in fundamental freq

 p = 160 cm = 1.6 m

V
fp = 
p

 by decreasing the tension , beat freq is decreased

1 T 320
 fs > fp  f s –f p = 8  2
 = 8  T = 27.04 N
0.25 10 1. 6

70. A source of sound S is fixed at the bottom of a river whose water flows with a velocity u. up and down the
stream there are fixed (at the bottom) two receivers, R1 and R2. The source generates oscillations whose
frequency is f. The frequency registered by R1 is _______ and by R2 is ________. (velocity of sound in still
water = V) M.Bank_Sound waves_8.26
[ Ans. f, f (·.· No Relative Motion) ]

71. A source S, receiver R and air are moving relative to the ground as shown in the fig. VS = VR = VW = 20 m/s and
velocity of sound in still air is 320 m/s. If source generate sound of frequency 3600 Hz then the frequency of
sound received by the receiver will be_____(Vw = velocity of wind) M.Bank_Sound waves_8.27

[Ans. 3200Hz]

72. A wire having a linear mass density 5.0  10 3 kg/m is stretched between two rigid supports with a
tension of 450 N. The wire resonates at a frequency of 420 Hz. The next higher frequency at which the
same wire resonates is 480 Hz. The length of the wire is[banknew_waves_139]
M.Bank_Sound waves_6.8
(A) 2.0 m (B) 2.1 m (C*) 2.5 m (D) 3 m
(A) 2.0 (B) 2.1 (C*) 2.5 (D) 3
ehVj ehVj ehVj ehVj
Sol. Two consecutive frequencies are 420 Hz & 480 Hz. So the fundamental frequency will be 60 Hz.

1 450
 60 =   = 2.1 m Hence (B).
2 5  10 3

73. A sound source emits two sinusoidal sound waves, both of wavelength , along paths A and B as shown
in figure. The sound travelling along path B is reflected from five surfaces as shown and then merges at
point Q, producing minimum intensity at that point. The minimum value of d in terms of  is :
[Made AKS 2006_GRSTx] M.Bank_Sound Wave._4.8

  3 
(A*) (B) (C) (D)
8 4 8 2
Sol. Path difference = Path B – Path A
= 7d – 3d = 4d
[Note that there is no phase change in reflections from mirror in case of sound]
For being out of phase :
 3
x = 4d = ; ;................
2 2
 
For minimum d, 4d =  d= Ans.
2 8

74. Tuning fork A and B produce 4 beats when sounded together. When they are tuned with same sonometer
wire, the resonance lengths are 128 cm and 130 cm respectively. The frequency of A is__________.
M.Bank_Sound Wave._7.19
[ Ans. 260 ]