Home
Class 11
PHYSICS
Explain why (or how) : (a) In a sound wa...

Explain why (or how) `:` (a) In a sound wave, a displacement node is a pressure antinode and vice-versa,
(b) Bats can ascertain distances, directions, nature and size of obstacles without any eyes,
(c) a violin note and sitar note may have the same frequency, yet we can distinguish between the two notes, (d) Solids can support both longitudinal and transverse waves, but only longitudinal waves can propagate in gases,
(e) The shape of pulse gets distorted during propagation in a dispersive medium.

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

a) A node is a point where the amplitude of vibration is the minimum and pressure is the maximum. On the other hand, an antinode is a point where the amplitude of vibration is the maximum and pressure is the minimum.
Therefore, a displacement node is nothing but a pressure antinode, and vice versa.
(b) Bats emit very high-frequency ultrasonic sound waves. These waves get reflected back toward them by obstacles. A bat receives a reflected wave (frequency) and estimates the distance, direction, nature, and size of an obstacle with the help of its brain senses.
(c) The overtones produced by a sitar and a violin, and the strengths of these overtones, are different. Hence, one can distinguish between the notes produced by a sitar and a violin even if they have the same frequency of vibration.
(d) Solids have shear modulus. They can sustain shearing stress. Since fluids do not have any definite shape, they yield to shearing stress. The propagation of a transverse wave is such that it produces shearing stress in a medium. The propagation of such a wave is possible only in solids, and not in gases.
Both solids and fluids have their respective bulk moduli. They can sustain compressive stress. Hence, longitudinal waves can propagate through solids and fluids.
(e) A pulse is actually is a combination of waves having different wavelengths. These waves travel in a dispersive medium with different velocities, depending on the nature of the medium. This results in the distortion of the shape of a wave pulse.
Promotional Banner

Topper's Solved these Questions

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

A violin and a sitar may have the same frequency, yet we can distinguish between their notes. Why ?

Distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves.

What are longitudinal waves and transverse waves ?

Transverse waves can propagate in

The longitudinal wave can be observed in

NCERT-WAVES-EXERCISE
  1. A transverse harmonic wave on a strin is decribed by y(x,t) = 3.0 si...

    Text Solution

    |

  2. For the wave described in Exercise 15.8, plot the displacement (y) ver...

    Text Solution

    |

  3. For a travelling harmonic wave y=2.0 cos(10t-0.0080x+0.35), where x an...

    Text Solution

    |

  4. The transvers displacement of a string (clamped at its both ends) is g...

    Text Solution

    |

  5. (i) The transverse displacement of a string (clamped at its two ends )...

    Text Solution

    |

  6. Given below are some functions of x and t to represent the displacemen...

    Text Solution

    |

  7. A wire stretched between two rigid supports vibrates in its fundamenta...

    Text Solution

    |

  8. A metre-long tube open at one end, with a movable piston at the other ...

    Text Solution

    |

  9. A steel rod 100 cm long is clamped at its middle. The fundamental freq...

    Text Solution

    |

  10. A pipe 20cm long is closed at one end. Which harmonic mode of the pipe...

    Text Solution

    |

  11. Two sitar strings A and B playing the note 'Ga' are slightly out of tu...

    Text Solution

    |

  12. Explain why (or how) : (a) In a sound wave, a displacement node is a p...

    Text Solution

    |

  13. A train, standing at the outer signal of a railway station blows a whi...

    Text Solution

    |

  14. A train, standing in a stationyard, blows a whistle of frequency 400Hz...

    Text Solution

    |

  15. A travelling harmonic wave on a string is described by y(x,t)=7.5sin(0...

    Text Solution

    |

  16. A narrow sound pulse (for example, a short pip by a whistle) is sent a...

    Text Solution

    |

  17. One end of a long string of linear mass dnesity 8.0xx10^(-3)kgm^(-1) i...

    Text Solution

    |

  18. A SONAR system fixed in a submarine operates at a frequency 40.0kHz. A...

    Text Solution

    |

  19. Earthquakes generate sound waves inside the earth. Unlike a gas, the e...

    Text Solution

    |

  20. A bat is flitting about in a cave, navigating via ultrasonic beeps. As...

    Text Solution

    |