Waves - NEET Physics Questions
Question 11: easy

Two waves having the intensities in the ratio of 9 : 1 produce interference. The ratio of maximum to minimum intensity is equal to:

1. 10 : 8
2. 9 : 1
3. 4 : 1
4. 2 : 1
View Answer

The ratio of maximum to minimum intensity is given by \(frac{I_{\text{max}}}{I_{\text{min}}} = \left(\frac{\sqrt{I_1/I_2} + 1}{\sqrt{I_1/I_2} - 1}\right)^2\). Substituting \(\frac{I_1}{I_2} = 9\) yields \(\left(\frac{3 + 1}{3 - 1}\right\)^2 = 4\), which is \(4:1\).

Question 12: easy

The frequency of the first overtone of a closed pipe of length \(L_1\), is equal to that of the first overtone of an open pipe of length \(L_2\). The ratio of their lengths \((L_1 : L_2)\) is:

1. 2 : 3
2. 4 : 5
3. 3 : 5
4. 3 : 4
View Answer

The first overtone of a closed pipe of length \(L_1\) has frequency \(f_{c,1} = \frac{3v}{4L_1}\) and that of an open pipe of length \(L_2\) is \(f_{o,1} = \frac{v}{L_2}\). Equating the two frequencies gives \(\frac{3v}{4L_1} = \frac{v}{L_2}\), which simplifies to \(\frac{L_1}{L_2} = \frac{3}{4}\).

Question 13: easy

Equation of a progressive wave is given by \( y = 0.2 \cos \pi(0.04t + 0.02x – \pi/6) \). The distance is expressed in cm and time in second. What will be the minimum distance between two particles having the phase difference of \( \pi/2 \)?

1. 4 cm
2. 8 cm
3. 25 cm
4. 12.5 cm
View Answer

The wave number is \(k = 0.02\pi\text{ cm}^{-1}\). Since phase difference \(\Delta \phi = k \Delta x\), we have \(\Delta x = \frac{\Delta \phi}{k} = \frac{\pi/2}{0.02\pi} = 25\text{ cm}\).

Question 14: easy

Given below are two statements:


Assertion (A): Sound would travel faster on a hot summer day than on a cold winter day.


Reason (R): Velocity of sound is directly proportional to the square root of its absolute temperature.


 

1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
2. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) is false but (R) is true.
View Answer

The speed of sound in a gas is \(v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma RT}{M}}\), meaning \(v \propto \sqrt{T}\). Since temperature is higher on a hot summer day than a cold winter day, sound travels faster in summer. Both statements are true and Reason is the correct explanation.

Question 15: easy

The fundamental frequency of a sonometer wire increases by 6 Hz. If its tension is increased by 44%, keeping the length constant. Then find this fundamental frequency:

1. 28 Hz
2. 30 Hz
3. 33 Hz
4. 42 Hz
View Answer

Since frequency \(f \propto \sqrt{T}\), increasing tension by 44% makes \(f' = f \sqrt{1.44} = 1.2f\). Thus, the change in frequency is \(0.2f = 6 \text{ Hz}\), which gives \(f = 30 \text{ Hz}\).

Question 16: easy

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).


Assertion (A): The presence of moisture increases the velocity of sound in air.


Reason (R): Density of moist air is more than the density of dry air.


In the light of the above statements, the correct option is

1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
2. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Velocity of sound \(v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma P}{\rho}}\). Since water vapor has a lower density than dry air, moist air has a lower density, raising the sound velocity. Thus, (A) is true but (R) is false.

Question 17: easy

A string is fixed at both ends and the vibrations of string is given by the equation \(y = 10sin(2x)cos(2t)\) where \(x, y\) are in cm and \(t\) is in second. Nearby node from left end at \(x = 0\), is at a distance

1. \(\frac{\pi}{2}\text{ cm}\)
2. \(\pi\text{ cm}\)
3. 2 cm
4. 4 cm
View Answer

Nodes occur where the spatial amplitude term \(sin(2x) = 0\), which implies \(2x = n\pi\) or \(x = \frac{n\pi}{2}\). The closest node to the left end \(x=0\) (where \(n=1\)) is at \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\text{ cm}\).

Question 18: easy

A steel wire \(0.50\text{ m}\) long has a mass of \(4.0 \times 10^{-3}\text{ kg}\). If the wire is under a tension of \(80\text{ N}\), the speed of transverse waves on the wire is

1. \[93 m s^{-1}\]
2. \[100 m s^{-1}\]
3. \[50 m s^{-1}\]
4. \[98 m s^{-1}\]
View Answer

Linear mass density \(\mu = \frac{m}{L} = \frac{4.0 \times 10^{-3}}{0.50} = 8.0 \times 10^{-3}\text{ kg/m}\). Wave speed is \(v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu}} = \sqrt{\frac{80}{8.0 times 10^{-3}}} = 100\text{ m/s}\).

Question 19: easy

A wave travelling in the positive x-direction having displacement amplitude along y-direction as 1 m, wavelength \(2\pi\text{ m}\) and frequency of \(\frac{1}{\pi}\text{ Hz}\) is represented by

1. \(y = \sin(10\pi x - 20\pi t)\)
2. \(y = \sin(2\pi x + 2\pi t)\)
3. \(y = \sin(x - 2t)\)
4. \(y = \sin(2\pi x - 2\pi t)\)
View Answer

Wave equation is \(y = A\sin(kx - \omega t)\). Here, \(A = 1\text{ m}\), \(k = \frac{2\pi}{\lambda} = 1\text{ m}^{-1}\), and \(\omega = 2\pi f = 2\text{ rad/s}\). Thus, \(y = \sin(x - 2t)\).

Question 20: easy

A closed organ pipe of length \(l = 2 \text{ m}\) is vibrating in \(2^{\text{nd}}\) overtone. The frequency of vibration if speed of sound is 340 m/s is

1. 212.5 Hz
2. 200 Hz
3. 250 Hz
4. 300 Hz
View Answer

For a closed organ pipe, the frequency of the \(n^{\text{th}}\) overtone is \(f = (2n+1)\frac{v}{4l}\). For \(2^{\text{nd}}\) overtone (\(n=2\)), \(f = 5\frac{v}{4l} = \frac{5 \times 340}{4 \times 2} = 212.5 \text{ Hz}\).