A source of unknown frequency gives 4 beats/s when sounded with a source of known frequency 250 Hz. The second harmonic of the source of unknown frequency gives five beats per second, when sounded with a source of frequency 513 Hz. The unknown frequency is
- 240 Hz
- 260 Hz
- 254 Hz
- 246 Hz
Answer
(3) 254 Hz
Solution
With 250 Hz the beat frequency is 4 per second
⇒ = 250 4 = 254 Hz or 246 Hz
Second harmonic = 2 :
If = 254 Hz, 2 = 508 Hz ⇒ beats with 513 Hz = 513 - 508 = 5 per second ✓
If = 246 Hz, 2 = 492 Hz ⇒ beats = 513 - 492 = 21 per second ✗
∴ Unknown frequency = 254 Hz
Answer: (3)