Mechanical Wave Propagation – Rankers Physics

Waves and its Characteristics: Practice Problem & Solution

Assertion (A): In mechanical waves energy transfer takes place because of the coupling through elastic forces between neighbouring oscillating parts of the medium. Reason (R): Propagation of wave in medium is due to only elastic properties of medium.  
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Waves and its Characteristics. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Assertion (A) is true as mechanical waves transfer energy via the elastic interaction (coupling) of particles. Reason (R) is false because wave propagation in a medium depends on both its elastic properties (like bulk modulus) and its inertial properties (density), not 'only' elastic properties. The speed of a mechanical wave is given by \(v = \sqrt{\frac{\text{Elasticity}}{\text{Inertia}}}\).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Similar Practice Questions

Explore conceptually related problems to test your knowledge.

1. Assertion (A): A tuning fork is in resonance with a closed pipe in fundamental mode, but the same tuning fork cannot be in resonance in fundamental mode with an open pipe of same length. Reason (R): The same tuning fork will not be in resonance with open pipe of same length due to end correction of pipe.
2. If two sound waves represented by \(y_1 = 10 \sin(1020\pi t - K_1x)\) and \(y_2 = 10 \sin(1004\pi t - K_2x)\) are superposed at \(x = 0\), then beat frequency is
3. The displacement of a travelling wave is given by \(y = P \sin \frac{2\pi}{\lambda} (Qt - x)\), where t is time and x is distance and \(\lambda\) is wavelength. The linear frequency of the wave is
4. A standing wave having 3 nodes and 2 antinodes is formed between $1.21 \text{ \AA}$ distance then the wavelength is: (1998)
5. Assertion (A): Two sound waves of same intensity in a particular medium will have displacement amplitude in ratio of 2:1 if they have frequency in the ratio 1:2. Reason (R): Two wave of same velocity and amplitude in a particular medium have equal intensity.