Waves Class 11 Important Extra Questions

Physics Chapter 15

Question 2.
Which physical quantity is represented by the ratio of the intensity of wave and energy density? Why?
Answer:
Velocity.

Question 3.
When are the tones called harmonics?
Answer:
The tones are called harmonics if the frequencies of the fundamental tone and other overtones produced by a source
of sound are in the harmonic series.

Question 4.
What will be the effect on the frequency of the sonometer wire if the load stretching the sonometer wire is immersed
in water?
Answer:
Due to the upthrust due to buoyancy experienced by the load, the effective weight will decrease, so tension and
hence frequency will decrease as v ∝ T−−√.
Question 5.
An organ pipe is in resonance with a tuning fork. If the pressure of air in the pipe is increased by a factor of 139, then
how should the length be changed for resonance?
Answer:
We know that the velocity of sound is independent of pressure, so there is no change in frequency and hence there is
no need to change the length of the pipe.

Question 6.
Sound waves travel through longer distances during the night than during the day. Why?
Answer:
Earth’s atmosphere is warmer as compared to the surface of the earth at night. The temperature increases with
altitude and thus the velocity of sound increases. It is a case of reflection from denser to rarer medium.

The sound waves get totally internally reflected.

Question 9.
Doppler’s effect in sound is asymmetric. Explain.
Answer:
Sound waves require a material medium for their propagation.

The apparent frequency is different whether the source moves towards the stationary observer or an observer moves
towards the stationary source. Thus the Doppler’s effect is said to be asymmetric. No such asymmetry occurs in light
because apparent frequency remains the same in either the case whether the source or the listener moves.

Hence Doppler’s effect is said to be symmetric in light.

Question 10.
What is redshift?
Answer:
It is due to Doppler’s effect in the case of light waves. It is known that all stars are moving away from each other. So
apparent frequency of light from a star as received by an observer on earth is less than the actual frequency. Since
wavelength is inversely proportional to the frequency, the apparent wavelength of light from stars is more than the
actual wavelength.

In other words, due to the Doppler effect, the wavelength of light shifts towards a longer end i.e. towards red color
and so it is called redshift.

Question 12.
Explain why frequency is the most fundamental property of a wave.
Answer:
When a wave passes from one medium to another, its velocity and wavelength change but the frequency remains the
same. Hence frequency is said to be the most fundamental property of a wave.

Question 13.
Sound is produced by vibratory motion, explain why then a vibrating pendulum does not produce sound?
Answer:
The sound which we can hear has a frequency from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

The frequency of the vibrating pendulum does not lie within the audible range and hence it does not produce sound.

Question 16.
Two loud-speakers have been installed in an open space to listen to a speech. When both are operational, a listener
sitting at a .particular- place receives a very faint sound. Why? What will happen if one loud-speaker is kept off?
Answer:
When the distance between two loud-speakers from the position of listener is an odd multiple of λ2, then due to
destructive interference between sound waves from two loud-speakers, a feeble sound is heard by the listener.
When one loud-speaker is kept off, no interference will take place and the listener will hear the full sound of the
operating loud-speaker.

Question 17.
Why is the sound produced in the air not heard by a person deep inside the water?
Answer:
The velocity of sound in water is much lesser than the velocity of sound in air. So the sound waves are mostly
reflected from the surface of the water. Only little refraction of sound from air to water takes place. Moreover, the
refracted sound waves die off after traveling a small distance in the water. Hence no sound waves reach deep inside
the water.

Question 21.
Explain why transverse elastic waves can’t propagate through a fluid?
Answer:
When a transverse elastic wave travels through a solid, a shearing strain develops which is supported by the elastic
solid because of the development of a restoring force. Thus elastic waves can propagate through solids.

But a liquid or a gas (i.e. fluid) can’t support a shearing strain. So there will be no restoring forces when there are
transverse displacements and so transverse vibrations are not possible.

Question 22.
Two strings of the same material and length under the same tension may vibrate with different fundamental
frequencies. Why?
Answer:
The frequency of vibration of the string is given by

If ρ = density of the material of string.

l, r = its length and radius.
D = diameter = 2r, then

Hence the two strings may vibrate with different frequencies when they have different diameters.

Question 23.
Distinguish between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.
Answer:
Longitudinal waves:

1. Particles of the medium vibrate along the direction of propagation of the wave.
2. They travel in the form of alternate compressions and rare¬factions.
3. They can be formed in any medium i.e. solid, liquid, or gas.
 4. When these waves propagate, there are pressure changes in ‘ the medium.
5. They can’t be polarised.

Transverse waves:

1. Particles of the medium vibrate, to the direction of propagation of the wave.

2. They travel in the form of alternate crests and troughs.
3. These can be formed in solids and on the surfaces of liquids only.
4. There are no pressure changes due to the propagation of these waves in the medium.
5. They can be polarised.

Question 24.
Distinguish between progressive waves and stationary waves.
Answer:
Progressive waves:

1. The disturbance travels onward. It is1 handed over from one particle to the next.
2. Energy is transported in the medium along with the propagation of waves.
3. Each particle of the medium executes S.H.M. with the same amplitude.
4. No particle of the medium is permanently at rest.
5. Changes in pressure and density are the same at all points of the medium.

Stationary waves:

1. The disturbance is confined to a particular region and there is no onward motion.

2. No energy is transported in the medium.
3. All the particles of the medium except at nodes execute S.H.M. with different amplitude.
4. The particles of the medium at nodes are at rest.
5. The changes of pressure and density are maximum at nodes and minimum at antinodes.

Question 25.
Distinguish between musical sound and noise.
Answer:
Musical sound:

1. It produces a pleasant effect on the ear.

2. It has a high frequency.
3. There are no sudden changes in the amplitude of the musical sound waves.
4. It is a desirable sound.

Noise:

1. It produces an unpleasant effect on the ear.

2. It has a low frequency.
3. There are sudden changes in the amplitude of noise waves.
4. It is an undesirable sound.

Question 26.
What are the characteristics of wave motion?
Answer:

1. Wave motion is a form of disturbance that travels in a medium due to repeated periodic motion of the particles
of the medium.
2. The wave velocity is different from the particle velocity.
3. The vibrating particles of the medium possess both K.E. and P.E.
4. The particle velocity is different at different positions of its vibrations whereas wave velocity is constant
throughout a given medium.
 5. Waves can undergo reflection, refraction, diffraction, dispersion, and interference.

Question 27.
Show that for 1°C change in temperature, the velocity of sound changes by 0.61 ms-1.
Answer:
We know that v ∝ T−−√ .
If vt and vo be the velocity of sound at T°C and 0°C respectively,

where α = vt−v0t is called temp. coefficient of the velocity of sound.

Putting vo = 332 ms-1 at T0 i.e. 0°C, we get
α = 332546 = 0.61 ms-1 °C-1
Question 28.
An electric bell is put in an evacuated room (a) near the center (b) close to the glass window, in which case the sound
is heard (i) inside the room, (ii) out of the room.
Answer:

1. Sound is not heard in cases (a) and (b) inside the room as the medium is not there for the propagation of
sound.
2. In case (a) sound cannot be heard outside for the reason given in (i) above.

In case (b) since the bell is very close to the window, the glass pane picks up its vibrations which are conveyed to the
eardrum through the air outside the room. So, the sound can be heard in condition (b).

Question 29.
One of the primitive musical instrument is flute, yet produces good musical sound, how?
Answer:
The flute is an open organ pipe instrument having some holes which determine the wavelength and hence the
frequency of sound. produced. By closing one or more holes, the length of the vibrating air column is changed and
thus different harmonics are produced. The harmonic rich sound is a good musical sound.
Question 30.
Write basic conditions for the formation of stationary waves.
Answer:
The basic conditions for the formation of stationary waves are listed below:

1. The direct and reflected waves must be traveling along the same line.
2. For stationary wave formation, the superposing waves should either be longitudinal or transverse. A longitudinal
and a transverse wave cannot superpose.
3. For the formation of stationary waves, there should not be any relative motion between the medium and
oppositely traveling waves.
4. The amplitude and period of the superposing waves should be the same.

Question 31.
What is the difference between interference and stationary waves? In which phenomenon, out of the two, energy is
not propagated? Why there is no energy at interference minimum?
Answer:
The superposition of two waves close to each other traveling in the same direction produces interference. The energy
gets redistributed. It is minimum or zero at points of destructive interference and maximum at points of constructive
interference. It is to be noted that the interference minima may not be points of zero energy unless •, the frequencies
and amplitudes of the superposing waves are exactly equal.

The superposition of two similar waves (waves having the same amplitude and period) traveling in opposite direction
produce stationary waves The nodes have no vibration of particles but antinodes have a maximum amplitude of
vibration.

Question 32.
Write the applications of beats.
Answer:
Beats are used to:

1. Determine an unknown frequency by listening to the best frequency Δv. Then unknown frequency V’ = v ± Δv
where v is known and it is close to the unknown frequency. The exact value of v’ is found by loading and filling
the tuning fork of unknown frequency from which + or – sign is chosen.
2. Tune musical instruments by sounding them together and reducing beats number to zero.
3. Make a sound rich in musical effect by the deliberate introduction of beats between different musical instruments.
4. To produce very low-frequency pulses which otherwise cannot be produced. The beat frequency is the low-
frequency sound.
5. Receive radio program by the superheterodyne method.

Mechanical Properties of Solids Class 11

Important Extra Questions Physics Chapter
9
Question 1.
What are the factors due to which three states of matter differ from one’s Other?
Answer:
Three states of-matter differ from each other due to the following two factors:
(a) The different magnitudes of tester atomic and intermolecular forces.
(b) The degree of random thermal motion of the atoms and molecules of a substance depends upon the temperature.

Question 2.
When we stretch a wire, we have to perform work Why? What happens to the energy given to the wire in this
process?
Answer:
In a normal situation, the atoms of a solid are at the locations of minimum potential energy. When we stretch a wire,
the work has to be done against interatomic forces. This work is stored in the wire in the form of elastic potential
energy.

Question 3.
Why are the bridges declared unsafe after long use?
Answer:
A bridge during its use undergoes alternative strains a large number of times each day, depending upon the
movement of vehicles on it. When a bridge is used for a long time it loses its elastic strength, due to which the
number of strains in the bridge for given stress will become large and ultimately the bridge may collapse. Thus, !» to
avoid this, the bridges are declared unsafe after long use.

Question 4.
Why are the springs made of steel and not of copper?
Answer:
Spring will be a better one if a large restoring force is set up in it on being deformed, which in turn depends upon the
elasticity of the material of the spring. Since Young’s modulus of elasticity of steel is more than that of copper, hence
steel is preferred in making the springs.

Question 5.
A heavy machine is to be installed in a factory. To absorb vibrations of the machine, a block of rubber is placed
between the machinery and the floor. Which of the two rubbers (A) and (B) of Figure would you prefer to use for this
purpose? Why?

Answer:
The area of this hysteresis loop measures the amount of heat energy dissipated by the material. Since the area of the
loop B is more than that of A, therefore B can absorb more vibrations than that of Av Hence B is preferred.

Question 6.
Metal wires after being heavily loaded dop’\ regain their lengths completely explain why?
Answer:
A material regains its original Configuration (length, shape dr volume) only when the deforming force is within the
elastic limit. Beyond the elastic limit, the bodies lose the property of elasticity and hence don’t completely regain the
length of being heavily loaded.

Question 7.
Explain. Why spring balances show wrong readings after they have been, Used for a long time?
Answer:
When spring balances are used for a long time, they get fatigued. So the springs of such balances will take time to
recover their original configuration. Hence the readings shown by such spring balances will be wrong.

Question 8.
Elasticity is said to be the internal property of matter. Explain.
Answer:
When a deforming force acts on a body, the atoms of the substances get displaced from their original positions. Due
to this the configuration of the matter (substance) changes. The moment, the deforming force is removed, the atoms
return to their original positions and hence the substance or matter regains its original configuration. Hence elasticity
is said to be the internal property of matter.
Question 9.
Define tensor physical quantities. Give an example.
Answer:
They are defined as the physical quantities having different values in different directions e.g. stress.

Question 10.
Define compressional stress.
Answer:
It is defined as the restoring force developed per unit area of cross-section of a body when it is compressed i.e. when
its length decreases under the action of deforming force.

Question 11.
Define longitudinal or tensile stress.
Answer:
It is defined as the restoring force developed per unit area of cross-section of a body when the length of the body
increases in the direction of the deforming force.

Question 12.

and tell in which significant ways do these curves differ from the stress-strain curve.
Answer:

1. Hook’s law is not obeyed at all.

2. The elastic region is large here.
3. The material does not retrace the same curve while unloading.

Question 13.
Define restoring force.
Answer:
It is defined as the internal force which comes into play from within the body due to which it regains or tends to regain
its original configuration.

For a perfectly elastic body restoring force = Deforming force.

Question 14.
Define longitudinal strain.
Answer:
It is defined as the ratio of change in length to the original length of an object when deformed by an external force

i.e. Longitudinal strain = l L= change in length  original length 

Question 15.
Define volumetric strain.
Answer:
It is defined as the ratio of change in volume per unit original volume of the body when deformed by an external force
change in volume AV

i.e. Volumetric strain =  change in volume  original volume =ΔVV

Question 16.
Define shear strain.
Answer:
It is defined as the ratio of the lateral displacement of a layer to its perpendicular distance from a fixed layer.

Aliter: It is defined as the angle through which a line originally perpendicular to the fixed face gets turned on applying
tangential deforming force.

Question 17.
State Hook’s law.
Answer:
Hook’s law: States that within elastic limits, stress is directly proportional to the strain.
i. e. stress ∝ strain
or
 Stress  Strain  = constant = E.
where E is called coefficient or modulus of elasticity of the material.
Question 18.
Define bulk modulus.
Answer:
Within elastic limits, it is defined as the ratio of normal stress to volumetric strain.

Question 19.
On what factors does the value of the coefficient of elasticity depend? Why it is of it three types?
Answer:
Its value depends upon the:

1. nature of the material of the body.

2. the way in which the body is deformed.

It is of three types as strain is of three types.

Question 20.
Why a hard wire is broken by bending it repeatedly in opposite direction?
Answer:
It is because of the loss of strength of the material due to repeated alternating strains to which the wire is subjected.

Question 21.
When a cable is cut to half its original length, the maximum load it can withstand does not change. Why?
Answer:
The breaking stress is constant for a given material. Now breaking lord = breaking stress × area. When we cut the
cable to half its length, its area of cross-section does not change. Hence there is no effect on the maximum load, the
cable can support.

Question 22.
What causes restoring stress when a wire is stretched and when a body is compressed?
Answer:
When a wife is stretched, the restoring stress is caused by inter atomic-attraction and when a body is compressed,
the restoring stress is caused by interatomic repulsion.

Question 23.
Are elastic restoring forces conservative?
Answer:
The elastic restoring forces are conservative when the loading and unloading curves coincide, but when these curves
are different, the elastic restoring forces are non-conservative.

Question 24.
When a cable is cut to half its original length, how does this affect the elongation under the given load?
Answer:

Now as L is made L2 l will become L2, so elongation will become half of its value before cutting.
Question 25.
Why do solids have well-defined and reproducible external shapes?
Answer:
It is because, the atoms and molecules are arranged in a definite and regular way throughout the body of the solids,
so they have well-defined and reproducible external shapes.

Question 26.
Why any metallic part of the machinery is never subjected to stress beyond the elastic limit of the material?
Answer:
If it is subjected beyond the elastic limit, then a permanent deformation will be set in that metallic part of the machine.

Question 27.
The braking force for a wire is F. What will be the breaking force for
(a) two parallel wires of the same size?
Answer:
When two wires of the same size are suspended in parallel, force F equal to the braking force for a wire will acton
each wire if a force 2F is applied on the parallel combination.

(b) for a single wire of double the thickness?

Answer:

If the thickness is doubled, then the braking force will be four times the braking force.

Question 28.
Elasticity has a different meaning in Physics and in our daily life. Why?
Answer:
In daily life, a body is said to be more elastic if large deformation or strain is produced on subjecting the material to a
given stress. But in Physics, it is exactly the opposite. A body is said to be more elastic if a small strain is produced
on applying the given stress.

Question 29.
The length of a Wire is increased by 16 cm when a weight of 5 kg is hung. If all conditions are the same, what will be
the increase in its length when the diameter is doubled?
Answer:
We know that,

when d = diameter of wire

∴ l ∝ 1 d2
Thus when d is doubled, l reduces to 14th
i.e. l’= l4=84 = 2 cm. 4 4
Question 30.
When stress is equal to Young’s modulus of elasticity, then calculate the extension of a wire of length l.
Answer:
Here, L = original length of wire.
Let Δl = extension of wire = ?
Stress = Y (given)