Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Sound Waves
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Sound Waves
Two sound waves travel in the same medium along the same direction....
Two sound waves travel in the same medium along the same direction. The waves possess identical pressure amplitudes, but the first wave's wavelength is twice that of the second. If and denote the average power transmitted across a cross section by the first and second waves respectively, then
Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
D.
Step-by-step solution
The average power transmitted across a cross-section of area by a sound wave is given by , where is the intensity of the wave.
The intensity of a sound wave in terms of its pressure amplitude is given by , where is the density of the medium and is the speed of sound in the medium.
Since both waves travel in the same medium, and are the same for both waves.
It is given that both waves have identical pressure amplitudes, so is also the same.
Therefore, the intensity is independent of the wavelength when the pressure amplitude is constant.
This implies , and hence the average power transmitted across the same cross-section is equal, giving .
The intensity of a sound wave in terms of its pressure amplitude is given by , where is the density of the medium and is the speed of sound in the medium.
Since both waves travel in the same medium, and are the same for both waves.
It is given that both waves have identical pressure amplitudes, so is also the same.
Therefore, the intensity is independent of the wavelength when the pressure amplitude is constant.
This implies , and hence the average power transmitted across the same cross-section is equal, giving .