Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsSound Waves
A sound source with an adjustable frequency generates 2 beats per second with a tuning fork when its frequency is set to either 476 Hz or 480 Hz . Determine the frequency of the tuning fork.
Options
- A478 Hz
- B474 Hz
- C482 Hz
- D476 Hz
Correct answer
A. 478 Hz
Step-by-step solution
Let the frequency of the tuning fork be f . The beat frequency is the absolute difference between the frequencies of the two sound sources. Given that the beat frequency is 2 Hz when the source frequency is 476 Hz : |f - 476| = 2 f = 474 Hz or 478 Hz Also, the beat frequency is 2 Hz when the source frequency is 480 Hz : |f - 480| = 2 f = 478 Hz or 482 Hz The common value satisfying both conditions is f = 478 Hz .