Chapter 9 Question 3
 
a. Give a brief account on the propagation of sound wave through the air. Draw suitable graphs to illustrate and compare the variation of
i)     the displacement of air particles with position along the direction of propagation.
5 marks
 
Sound is a longitudinal wave. A series of compression and rarefaction moves along the direction of the wave. 1
Air particles vibrate along the direction of propagation. Take the displacement along the direction of propagation to be positive and otherwise negative.
c0903a.gif (6958 bytes) 1
 
ii)     the pressure changes with position along the direction of propagation.
 
The pressure is highest at the position of compression and lowest at the position of rarefaction.
c0903b.gif (7338 bytes) 1
 
iii)     the velocity of air particles with position along the direction of propagation.
 
c0903c.gif (8981 bytes) 2
 
b. Compare the modes of propagation of the waves along a long thick copper rod, produced by tapping one end and the waves along a tightened thin copper wire, produced by striking it at the middle. 3 marks
 
When a rod is tapped at one end, a compression pulse is sent along the length of the rod. The wave produced is longitudinal. Vibration of particles in the rod is along the direction of propagation. 1
When a wire is plucked at the middle, a standing transverse wave would be produced. The particles are vibrating up and down at right angles to the direction of the wave.. 2
 
c. Explain carefully what is meant by resonance and give two specific examples of its occurrence. 4 marks
 
Every object has its own natural frequency. If an object is forced to oscillate, the amplitude of oscillation depends on the driving frequency. In particular, largest amplitude occurs when the driving frequency is equal to the natural frequency. Resonance is said to occur.
Examples of resonance are
  • musical instrument
  • tunning circuit
  • absorption spectrum
 
d. There are several ways in which a metre rule, clamped at one end, may vibrate. Each of these ways is associated with a resonant frequency. Draw sketches to illustrate the two lowest resonant modes for the rule and explain how the rule could be induced to vibrate in these modes. 4 marks
 
c0903d.gif (4799 bytes) 2
The two lowest resonant modes, fundamental and 1st overtone, are shown above. 1
The fundamental mode can be set easily by plucking at the free end.
To set the 1st overtone, slightly hold at one-third distance from the free end and pluck at one-third distance from the fixed end.  1
 
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1