Three sound waves of equal amplitudes have frequencies (n - 1), n, (n + 1). They superimpose to give beats. The number of beats produced per second will be
- 1
- 4
- 3
- 2
Answer
(4) 2
Solution
y = A 2 (n-1)t + A 2 nt + A 2 (n+1)t
y = A 2 nt + 2A 2 nt 2 t
y = A(1 + 2 2 t) 2 nt
Intensity I (1 + 2 2 t)2
I is maximum when 2 t = 1 (t = 0, 1, 2 s …) and again when 2 t = -1 (t = ½, 3/2 s …)
The sound waxes twice every second, i.e. the beat frequency equals the difference between the extreme frequencies = (n + 1) - (n - 1) = 2
Answer: (4)