QUESTION BANK - SOUND

🔹 QUESTION BANK 1 (100 MARKS) – SOUND

SECTION A – OBJECTIVE (40 MARKS)

1. MCQs (5×2 = 10 marks)

(i) The speed of sound is maximum in:

A. Air B. Water C. Steel D. Vacuum

(ii) The pitch of a sound depends on its:

A. Amplitude B. Frequency C. Speed D. Wavelength

(iii) In an echo experiment, the minimum distance of a reflecting surface from the source must be:
A. 17.2 m B. 34.4 m C. 15 m D. 10 m

(iv) Which of the following is not a longitudinal wave?

A. Sound in air B. Seismic P-waves C. Waves in stretched string D. Compression in spring

(v) The loudness of a sound is proportional to the:

A. Frequency² B. Amplitude² C. Speed² D. Wavelength²

2. Fill in the blanks (5×1 = 5 marks)

(i) Sound cannot travel through _______.

(ii) The frequency range audible to the human ear is _______ to _______ Hz.
(iii) The phenomenon of repetition of sound due to reflection is called _______.
(iv) The speed of sound depends on _______ of the medium.
(v) Ultrasonic waves have frequencies _______ 20 kHz.

3. True/False + Correct if False (5×2 = 10 marks)

(i) Sound waves are transverse in nature.

(ii) The speed of sound in air increases with temperature.
(iii) Pitch is related to the amplitude of the wave.
(iv) The persistence of hearing is 1/10 s.
(v) Sonar works on the principle of reflection of sound.

4. Match the following (5×1 = 5 marks)

A B
(a) Frequency (i) Loudness
(b) Amplitude (ii) Time period
(c) Echo (iii) Reflection
(d) 1/f (iv) Pitch
(e) Infrasonic waves (v) < 20 Hz

5. Draw Diagrams (2×2 = 4 marks)

(i) Waveform of two sounds: one louder, one softer, same pitch.
(ii) Waveform of two sounds: one shriller, one grave, same loudness.

6. Give Reason (3×2 = 6 marks)

(i) Why are sound waves called mechanical waves?
(ii) Why is the ceiling of an auditorium curved?
(iii) Why is there no sound heard on the Moon?

7. Name the following (3×1 = 3 marks)

(i) The device that uses ultrasonic waves to detect underwater objects.
(ii) The physiological quantity corresponding to frequency.
(iii) The characteristic of sound that enables us to distinguish between two singers.

8. Odd one out + Reason (2×1 = 2 marks)

(i) Echo, SONAR, RADAR, Reverberation

(ii) Loudness, Pitch, Quality, Wavelength

SECTION B – SUBJECTIVE (60 MARKS)

Q1. (3 + 3 + 4 = 10 marks)

(i) Differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves with one example each.
(ii) State two differences between echo and reverberation.
(iii) With a neat diagram, describe the working of SONAR and its applications.

Q2. (2 + 3 + 5 = 10 marks)

(i) What is meant by the term "infrasonic" and "ultrasonic"? Give one use of ultrasonic waves.
(ii) Why is multiple reflection of sound desirable in stethoscopes and loudspeakers?
(iii) A ship sends ultrasonic waves downwards and receives the echo after 3 s. If speed of sound in sea water is 1500
m/s, calculate the depth of the sea.

Q3. (2 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 10 marks)

(i) Define loudness and intensity of sound.

(ii) Why does a person’s voice sound different when recorded and played back?
(iii) How does temperature affect the speed of sound in air?
(iv) A tuning fork produces a sound wave of frequency 256 Hz. If the speed of sound in air is 344 m/s, calculate its
wavelength.

Q4. (5 + 5 = 10 marks)

(i) Explain, with diagrams, the difference in waveforms of (a) two sounds of same frequency but different amplitudes,
(b) two sounds of same amplitude but different frequencies.
(ii) Discuss in detail how the three characteristics of sound (loudness, pitch, quality) help us identify a musical note.

Q5. (3 + 3 + 4 = 10 marks)

(i) Why is a megaphone or a conical funnel-shaped tube used to address a large audience?
(ii) How does reflection of sound help in medical imaging (ultrasound)?
(iii) A person standing between two parallel cliffs claps. He hears the first echo after 2 s and the second echo after 3 s.
If speed of sound in air is 340 m/s, calculate the distances of the two cliffs from him.

Q6. (5 + 5 = 10 marks)

(i) “Sound cannot travel in vacuum but light can.” Justify this statement on the basis of the nature of waves.
(ii) A tuning fork of frequency 512 Hz is vibrating in air. If the velocity of sound in air is 340 m/s, calculate:
(a) The wavelength of the sound produced.
(b) The time period of the wave.
Question Bank (2) – Sound (Harder, 100 Marks)

Section A (40 Marks)

Q1. MCQs (1 × 5 = 5)
(i) At 0°C the velocity of sound in air is 331 m/s. At what temperature will it be 355 m/s?
(a) 10°C (b) 20°C (c) 40°C (d) 60°C

(ii) An air column of length 30 cm resonates with a tuning fork of frequency 340 Hz. The speed of sound in air is
approximately:
(a) 204 m/s (b) 272 m/s (c) 340 m/s (d) 408 m/s

(iii) Reverberation time depends on:

(a) Volume of the hall only (b) Nature of reflecting surface only
(c) Both volume and reflecting surfaces (d) None of these

(iv) In a resonance tube, if the first resonance occurs at 15.5 cm and the next at 48 cm, the end correction is:
(a) 0.5 cm (b) 1.25 cm (c) 1.0 cm (d) 0.75 cm

(v) The fundamental frequency of a closed organ pipe is 256 Hz. The fundamental of an open organ pipe of the same
length will be:
(a) 128 Hz (b) 256 Hz (c) 512 Hz (d) 1024 Hz

Q2. Fill in the blanks (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) The speed of sound in air at 30°C is approximately ______ m/s.
(ii) The persistence of audibility for the human ear is about ______ seconds.
(iii) The pitch of a sound is determined by its ______.
(iv) SONAR is based on the principle of ______.
(v) In an open pipe, the fundamental mode has ______ node(s) and ______ antinode(s).

Q3. True/False (Correct if false) (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) Multiple echoes are always desirable in an auditorium.
(ii) The second harmonic of a closed pipe corresponds to its third overtone.
(iii) Ultrasonic waves are longitudinal in nature.
(iv) The loudness of sound depends linearly on its amplitude.
(v) The frequency of a note produced by a string is inversely proportional to its length.

Q4. Match the following (1 × 5 = 5)

Column A Column B

(A) Infrasonics (i) SONAR application

(B) Ultrasonics (ii) Earthquakes

(C) Resonance tube (iii) End correction

(D) Quality (iv) Depends on waveform & overtones

(E) Loudness (v) Depends on square of amplitude

Q5. Diagram based (2 × 2 = 4)

(i) Draw stationary wave patterns for fundamental and 1st overtone in a closed pipe.
(ii) Show reflection of sound in SONAR.
Q6. Give reasons (2 × 3 = 6)
(i) Why does the speed of sound not depend on pressure of air?
(ii) Why is the second harmonic absent in a closed organ pipe?
(iii) Why do auditoriums have sound absorbing panels?

Section B (60 Marks)

Q7. Numerical (5 + 5 = 10)

(i) A resonance tube closed at one end is used with a tuning fork of frequency 512 Hz. First resonance occurs at 16
cm and the next at 48.5 cm. Calculate the end correction and the speed of sound.
(ii) An open pipe of length 80 cm resonates with a tuning fork at its fundamental frequency. If the speed of sound is
340 m/s, calculate the frequency.

Q8. Numerical (5 marks)

A string 80 cm long produces a fundamental frequency of 256 Hz when stretched with a tension of 20 N. Find the
mass per unit length of the string.

Q9. Long answer (5 + 5 = 10)

(i) Derive the relation for frequency of vibration of a stretched string (f = (1/2L)√(T/μ)).
(ii) Derive the expression for velocity of sound in air in terms of γ, R, T, and M.

Q10. Long answer (6 marks)

With neat diagrams, explain stationary waves in:
(i) Closed pipe (fundamental and overtones).
(ii) Open pipe (fundamental and overtones).

Q11. Conceptual + Application (4 + 4 = 8)

(i) A tuning fork resonates with an air column at two successive lengths, 18.5 cm and 58.5 cm. Find the speed of
sound if the tuning fork frequency is 256 Hz.
(ii) If an echo is heard 0.8 s after the sound is produced, calculate the distance of the reflecting surface. (Speed of
sound = 340 m/s).

Q12. Case-based (7 marks)

A hall has dimensions 40 m × 20 m × 10 m. Its walls, ceiling, and floor are made of polished concrete.
(i) Why will the hall produce excessive reverberation?
(ii) Suggest three methods to reduce reverberation.
(iii) If the average absorption coefficient of surfaces is 0.2, estimate whether reverberation time will be more or less
than 1 second (qualitative reasoning, no detailed calculation needed).

Q13. HOTS (High Order Thinking Skill) (10 marks)

(i) Why do soldiers break step while crossing a suspension bridge? Relate it with resonance.
(ii) Why is ultrasonics preferred over audible sound for medical imaging and SONAR?
(iii) Why does sound travel faster on a hot day than on a cold day?
(iv) Explain why a flute (open pipe) and a clarinet (closed pipe) of the same length produce different sets of
harmonics.

Question Bank (3) – Sound (Toughest, 100 Marks)

Section A (40 Marks)

Q1. MCQs (1 × 5 = 5)
(i) If the temperature of air increases by 30°C, the velocity of sound increases by nearly:
(a) 6 m/s
(b) 10 m/s
(c) 18 m/s
(d) 30 m/s

(ii) A tuning fork produces 4 beats per second with a sonometer wire. On tightening the wire, beats increase. The
tuning fork frequency is:
(a) Greater than wire initially
(b) Less than wire initially
(c) Equal to wire initially
(d) Constantly changing

(iii) Reverberation is desirable when:

(a) Its time is very large
(b) Its time is very small
(c) Its time is around 1 sec
(d) No echoes are produced

(iv) A closed pipe and an open pipe are of same length. If the closed pipe resonates with 100 Hz, the open pipe’s
fundamental is:
(a) 50 Hz
(b) 100 Hz
(c) 200 Hz
(d) 400 Hz

(v) The velocity of sound in hydrogen is approximately ______ times that in oxygen.
(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 8
(d) 16

Q2. Fill in the blanks (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) In a resonance column, the distance between two successive resonances corresponds to ______.
(ii) The intensity of sound varies as the ______ of amplitude.
(iii) Ultrasonic cleaning is based on the phenomenon of ______.
(iv) Persistence of hearing is approximately ______ s.
(v) The number of overtones present determines the ______ of sound.

Q3. True/False (Correct if false) (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) Loudness depends only on frequency.
(ii) SONAR uses the principle of resonance.
(iii) The frequency of beats is equal to the difference between frequencies of two notes.
(iv) Infrasonics can be heard by bats.
(v) End correction is necessary in resonance tube experiments.

Q4. Match the following (1 × 5 = 5)

Column A Column B

(A) Beats (i) Persistence of audibility

(B) Echo (ii) Superposition of two waves

(C) Closed pipe (iii) Odd harmonics only

(D) Open pipe (iv) All harmonics

(E) Loudness (v) Depends on intensity

Q5. Diagrams (2 × 2 = 4)
(i) Stationary waves in a string at fundamental and 2nd harmonic.
(ii) Reflection and echo path diagram.

Q6. Give reasons (2 × 3 = 6)

(i) Why do soldiers break step while crossing bridges?
(ii) Why does a string produce a higher pitch when stretched?
(iii) Why is an open pipe louder than a closed pipe of same length?

Section B (60 Marks)

Q7. (Numerical, 4)
A resonance column resonates with a tuning fork at lengths 15 cm and 47 cm. Calculate (i) wavelength, (ii) frequency
of tuning fork. Velocity of sound = 340 m/s.

Q8. (Numerical, 6)
A closed pipe of length 30 cm is in resonance with a tuning fork of frequency 280 Hz. Calculate: (i) end correction,
(ii) speed of sound in air.

Q9. (Numerical, 6)
Two tuning forks of frequencies 512 Hz and 516 Hz are sounded together. Find the beat frequency. If a listener hears
8 beats per second instead, what must have gone wrong?

Q10. (Numerical, 8)
An organ pipe open at both ends produces a fundamental frequency of 256 Hz. Calculate the length of the pipe. If the
same pipe is closed at one end, calculate its new fundamental frequency. Velocity of sound = 330 m/s.

Q11. (Conceptual, 10)

Explain:
(a) Reverberation and its control in auditoriums.
(b) The difference between quality and pitch with examples.
(c) How SONAR helps in detecting submarines.

Q12. (Application, 10)

(a) Explain why a guitar string produces a variety of notes.
(b) Why are ultrasonics used in medical imaging but not audible sound?
(c) Why is resonance dangerous in some cases but useful in others?

Q13. (Long answer, 10)

A student uses a resonance column and a tuning fork of 256 Hz. Resonances are observed at 32 cm and 100 cm. Find
end correction, velocity of sound, and explain why two resonances are observed.

Question Bank (4) – Sound (Twisted, 100 Marks)

(More traps, conceptual twists, cross-linking ideas)

Section A (40 Marks)

Q1. MCQs (1 × 5 = 5)
(i) A closed pipe and an open pipe of the same length resonate with the same tuning fork. The ratio of their
fundamental frequencies is:
(a) 1:1
(b) 1:2
(c) 2:1
(d) 1:4

(ii) If temperature rises, what happens to frequency of resonance in a resonance tube?

(a) Increases
(b) Decreases
(c) Unchanged
(d) First increases, then decreases

(iii) Which factor does not affect speed of sound in air?

(a) Temperature
(b) Humidity
(c) Pressure
(d) Density

(iv) Which of these can cause resonance in a hall?

(a) Reflection
(b) Natural frequency of hall
(c) Forced vibration
(d) All of these

(v) Ultrasonics are inaudible because:

(a) Frequency too low
(b) Frequency too high
(c) Amplitude too small
(d) Travel very fast

Q2. Fill in the blanks (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) Reverberation time should be about ______ in a good auditorium.
(ii) Ultrasonic welding is used because of ______ heating.
(iii) A string vibrates with frequency proportional to ______ of tension.
(iv) Infrasonics are sounds with frequency below ______ Hz.
(v) The unit of intensity is ______.

Q3. True/False (Correct if false) (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) In an open pipe, only odd harmonics are present.
(ii) The end correction in resonance tube accounts for antinode beyond tube end.
(iii) Echoes are used in SONAR.
(iv) Ultrasonics can be reflected and refracted like ordinary sound.
(v) The persistence of audibility is about 0.1 s.

Q4. Match the following (1 × 5 = 5)

Column A Column B

(A) Ultrasonic cleaning (i) Cavitation

(B) Quality (ii) Depends on waveform

(C) Loudness (iii) Depends on intensity

(D) Resonance (iv) Natural frequency

(E) Echo (v) Reflection of sound

Q5. Diagram (2 × 2 = 4)
(i) Resonance tube experiment setup.
(ii) Ultrasonic cleaning device.
Q6. Give reasons (2 × 3 = 6)
(i) Why is SONAR ineffective in air?
(ii) Why are higher harmonics missing in closed pipes?
(iii) Why are concert halls provided with curtains and carpets?

Section B (60 Marks)

Q7. (Numerical, 6)
A tuning fork produces resonance in a closed pipe at lengths 18.5 cm and 56.5 cm. Find (i) frequency of fork, (ii)
velocity of sound in air.

Q8. (Numerical, 6)
Two closed organ pipes of lengths 50 cm and 51 cm produce 6 beats per second. Find the velocity of sound.

Q9. (Numerical, 8)
In a resonance tube experiment, a tuning fork of frequency 512 Hz resonates at 16 cm and 48.5 cm. Calculate the
velocity of sound and the end correction.

Q10. (Conceptual, 10)

(a) Explain differences between echo and reverberation.
(b) Why is reverberation undesirable in classrooms but useful in concert halls?
(c) How is reverberation controlled?

Q11. (Application, 10)

(a) Discuss three applications of ultrasonics in industry and medicine.
(b) Why are supersonic aircrafts dangerous near ground level?
(c) Why are infrasonics used in earthquake prediction?

Q12. (Long answer, 10)

Describe an experiment to determine velocity of sound using resonance tube. Discuss precautions, errors, corrections.

Q13. (Numerical + Conceptual, 10)

An open organ pipe produces a fundamental frequency of 300 Hz. If the pipe is closed at one end, calculate its new
fundamental. Also explain why odd harmonics only appear in closed pipes.

Question Bank (5) – Sound (Insane 💀, 100 Marks)

(Max conceptual traps, linked with daily life + twisted numericals)

Section A (40 Marks)

Q1. MCQs (1 × 5 = 5)
(i) If temperature increases by 1°C, velocity of sound increases approximately by:
(a) 0.1 m/s
(b) 0.6 m/s
(c) 3 m/s
(d) 6 m/s

(ii) A closed pipe sounds with its 1st overtone of frequency 300 Hz. Its length is:
(a) 28 cm
(b) 57 cm
(c) 85 cm
(d) 113 cm

(iii) Echo is heard only if sound reflected returns after:

(a) 0.001 s
(b) 0.01 s
(c) 0.1 s
(d) 1 s

(iv) In SONAR, the echo returns after 2 s. If velocity of sound in water is 1500 m/s, the depth of sea is:
(a) 750 m
(b) 1500 m
(c) 3000 m
(d) 6000 m

(v) A beat frequency of 4 Hz is heard when two forks are sounded. If one fork is 256 Hz, the other may be:
(a) 252 Hz or 260 Hz
(b) 254 Hz or 258 Hz
(c) 250 Hz or 264 Hz
(d) 240 Hz or 272 Hz

Q2. Fill in the blanks (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) The pitch of a sound depends on its ______.
(ii) A closed organ pipe resonates with only ______ harmonics.
(iii) Reverberation time depends on both ______ and ______.
(iv) Ultrasonics have frequency greater than ______ Hz.
(v) Intensity level of sound is measured in ______.

Q3. True/False (Correct if false) (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) Beats occur due to constructive interference only.
(ii) Echoes can be produced indoors if walls are far apart.
(iii) Infrasonic sounds are used in medical imaging.
(iv) Ultrasonics cannot penetrate human tissue.
(v) Open pipe supports both odd and even harmonics.

Q4. Match the following (1 × 5 = 5)

Column A Column B

(A) Beats (i) Difference of frequencies

(B) Ultrasonics (ii) Frequency > 20,000 Hz

(C) Echo (iii) Reflection after 0.1 s

(D) Reverberation (iv) Multiple reflections

(E) Pitch (v) Frequency of vibration

Q5. Diagram (2 × 2 = 4)
(i) Show beat formation using wave superposition.
(ii) Show resonance in closed pipe (fundamental and 1st overtone).

Q6. Give reasons (2 × 3 = 6)

(i) Why is persistence of hearing necessary for us to hear speech?
(ii) Why are multiple reflections avoided in cinemas?
(iii) Why are ultrasonics not audible to humans?

Section B (60 Marks)

Q7. (Numerical, 6)
A resonance tube with tuning fork 512 Hz shows first resonance at 16 cm. Find velocity of sound in air.
Q8. (Numerical, 8)
An open pipe produces a fundamental frequency of 300 Hz. Calculate its length. If closed at one end, what will be its
new fundamental?

Q9. (Numerical, 8)
Two tuning forks A and B sounded together give 6 beats/s. Frequency of A = 480 Hz. If B is filed, beat frequency
becomes 10 Hz. Find the actual frequency of B before and after filing.

Q10. (Conceptual, 10)

Explain:
(a) Why beats cannot be heard if frequency difference > 10 Hz.
(b) Why ultrasonics are more directional than audible sound.
(c) Why resonance tube length is not exactly equal to ¼ λ.

Q11. (Application, 10)

(a) Explain three medical uses of ultrasonics.
(b) Explain how SONAR works with derivation of depth formula.
(c) Why is sound faster in solids than gases?

Q12. (Long answer, 10)

Derive expression for frequency of stretched string:

f=12LTμf = \frac{1}{2L} \sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu}}f=2L1μT

where symbols have usual meaning.

Q13. (Numerical + Conceptual, 8)

A hall of volume 10,000 m³ has reverberation time 1.5 s. If absorption is increased such that reverberation reduces to
1 s, calculate new absorption factor. Explain why reverberation decreases.