Question

A narrow sound pulse (for example, a short pip by a whistle) is sent across a medium. (a) Does the pulse have a definite (i) frequency, (ii) wavelength, (iii) speed of propagation? (b) If the pulse rate is 1 after every 20 s, (that is the whistle is blown for a split of second after every 20 s), is the frequency of the note produced by the whistle equal to 1/20 or 0.05 Hz

Answer 1

(a) (i)No

(ii)No

(iii)Yes

(b) No

Explanation:

(a) The narrow sound pulse does not have a fixed wavelength or frequency. However, the speed of the sound pulse remains the same, which is equal to the speed of sound in that medium.

(b) The short pip produced after every 20 s does not mean that the frequency of the whistle is `1/20` or 0.05 Hz. It means that 0.05 Hz is the frequency of the repetition of the pip of the whistle

Answer 2

(a) In a non dispersive medium, the wave propagates with definite speed but its wavelength of frequency is not definite.

(b) No, the frequency of the note is not 1/20 or 0.50 Hz. 0.005 Hz is only the frequency ‘ of repetition of the pip of the whistle.