1) Explain the formation of stationary waves in stretched strings and hence deduce the laws of

transverse waves in stretched strings.

Ans. Stationary Wave: When two progressive waves of same amplitude and frequency, but travelling in
opposite in direction due to superimpose, a stationary wave is formed.

When a wave travelling along positive X-direction

y1  A sin  kx  t 
When a wave travelling along negative x-direction
y1  A sin  kx  t 
According to principle of superposition.
Y  Y1  Y2
 A sin  kx  t   A sin  kx  t 
Y   2 A sin kx  cos t sin  kx  t   sin kx cos  t  cos kx sin t
Y  A cos wt sin  kx  t   sin kx cos t  cos kx sin t
 Amplitude A  2 A sin kx  2sin kx cos t
Node : Zero displacement on stationary wave is called node.
 2 3
At positions x  0, , , ....... nodes are formed.
2 2 2
Anti-node : Maximum displacement on stationary wave is called antinode.
 3 5 7
At positions x  , , , ..... anti nodes are formed.
4 4 4 4
Fundamental frequency of string.

V  n
T
V = velocity of wave  velocity of string wave v 
m
T
N= frequency of wave v
m
 = wave – length of wave T  Tension in strong
M= linear mass density
V  n
V 1 T
n   .V V 
  m
1 T 
n    ;   2
2 m 2
1
1st law : n  [T, m are constant ]

Fundamental frequency of string is inversely proportional to length of a string, when T, m are
constant.
2nd law: n  T [  , m are constant]
Fundamental frequency of string is directly proportional to square root of tension in string, when
 , m are constant.
 
3rd Law: n ;  , T are cosntant 
m
Fundamental frequency of a string is inversely proportional to square root of linear mass density,
when  , T are constant

2) Explain the formation of stationary waves in an air column enclosed in open pipe. Derive the equations for
the frequencies of the harmonics produced.
A open organ pipe 85 cm long is sounded. If the velocity of sound is 340 m/s, what is the fundamental
frequency of vibration of the air column?
Ans. Stationary wave : definition
Open pipe: If both ends of the pipe are open is called open pipe.
Always antinodes are formed at open ends.
1) Fundamental frequency (or) first harmonic
Speed of sound in air v  n
n = frequency of sound wave
 = wave length

v  n
v v
n1      2L 
1 2 L
This is called fundamental frequency.
2. Second harmonic
v  n
v v  2L 
n2    2 
2 2 L  2 
2
n2  2n1
3. Third harmonic
v  n
v v  2L 
n3    2 
3 2 L  3 
3
n3  3n1

 The ratio of harmonics n1 : n2 : n3 :......  1: 2 : 3 :.....

Problem: l  85cm  0.85m,V  340m / s, n  ?

V 340 340
Formula: n     200 Hz
2l 2  0.85 1.7
3) How are stationary waves formed in closed pipes? Explain the various modes of vibrations and obtain
relations for their frequencies

Ans. Stationary wave: definition

Closed pipe : One is open and other end is closed is called closed pipe.

1) Fundamental frequency (or) first harmonic

Speed of sound in air v  n
n = frequency of sound wave
 = wave length

v  n
v v
n1      4L 
1 4 L
This is called fundamental frequency.
2. Second harmonic
v  n
v v  v   4L 
n2    3   
2 4 L  4L   3 
3
n2  3n1
3. Third harmonic
v  n
v v  v   4L 
n3    5  
3 4 L  4L   5 
5
n3  5n1

 The ratio of harmonics

n1 : n2 : n3 :......  1: 3 : 5 :.....

Problem: closed organ pipe 70cm long is sounded. If the velocity of sound is 331m/s, what is the
fundamental frequency of air column.

Sol : Given length of closed pipe= l  70cm  0.7 m, V  331m / s, n  ?

V 331
Formula : n    118.2 Hz
4l 4  0.7
4) Explain the principle and working of a nuclear reactor with the help labelled diagram.
Ans. Principal: Controlled chain reaction is principle of working nuclear reactor.

Components of nuclear reactor:

1) Fuel 2) Moderator 3) Control rods 4) Shielding 5) Coolant.
 1) Fuel : The fissionable material used in the reactor is called fuel. It is taken in the form solid rods
and these are sealed in aluminium cylinders.
Ex: uranium, U 235 .
2) Moderator : Moderator is used to slow down the fast moving new neutrons.
Ex: D2 O, (heavy water), graphite
3) Control rods : Control rods are used to control the chain reaction by absorbing neutrons.
Ex: Cadmium and Boron rods.
4) Shielding: During fission reaction beta, and gamma radiation are emitted, Suitable shielding such
as steel & lead walls are provided around the reactor to absorb and reduce the intensity of
radiation.
5) Coolant: The heat generated in fuel elements is removed by using a suitable coolant to flow
around them. The coolants used are water at high pressures, molten sodium etc.

Working:
i) Uranium fuel rods are arranged in the Aluminium cylinders.
ii) The graphite moderator is placed in between the fuel cylinder
iii) When U 235 undergo fission, fast neutrons are released.
iv) These neutrons pass through the surrounding graphite moderator and lose their energy.
v) The heat generated here is used to produce steam
vi) This steam is used to rotate steam turbine then electric power is produced.
B. If one microgram of 92 U 235 is completely destroyed an atom bomb, how much energy will be
released?
Ans. Given that m  10 6 g  10 9 kg , c  3  108 ms 1 , E  ?
Formula: E  mc 2
2
 E  109   3 108   E  9 10988
 E  107 J