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QJEEM24Phfb5f: JEE Main 2024 Physics - Class 11 JEEM24Phfb5f Solution: A tuning fork resonates with a sonometer wire of length…

A tuning fork resonates with a sonometer wire of length 1 m1 \mathrm{~m} stretched with a tension of 6 N6 \mathrm{~N} . When the tension in the wire is changed to 54 N54 \mathrm{~N} , the same tuning fork produces 12 beats per second with it. The frequency of the tuning fork is ________________ Hz\mathrm{Hz} .

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

To solve this problem, we'll have to use the relationship between the frequency of a vibrating string and the tension applied to it. When a tuning fork resonates with a sonometer wire, their frequencies are equal.

The frequency of a vibrating string is given by the formula:

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

Where:

  • ff is the frequency of the vibration

  • LL is the length of the wire

  • TT is the tension in the wire

  • μ\mu is the linear mass density of the wire

The linear mass density ( μ\mu ) of the wire remains constant.

Initially, when the string resonates with the tuning fork, the frequency of both is given by:

f1=12LT1μf_1 = \frac{1}{2L} \sqrt{\frac{T_1}{\mu}}

Here T1=6 NT_1 = 6 \mathrm{~N} and L=1 mL = 1 \mathrm{~m} , so we have:

f1=12⋅16μ=126μf_1 = \frac{1}{2 \cdot 1} \sqrt{\frac{6}{\mu}} = \frac{1}{2} \sqrt{\frac{6}{\mu}}

Now, when the tension is changed to T2=54 NT_2 = 54 \mathrm{~N} , the frequency of the wire changes to f2f_2 and it is given by:

f2=12LT2μf_2 = \frac{1}{2L} \sqrt{\frac{T_2}{\mu}}

Since LL and μ\mu remain the same, substituting T2T_2 :

f2=12⋅154μ=1254μf_2 = \frac{1}{2 \cdot 1} \sqrt{\frac{54}{\mu}} = \frac{1}{2} \sqrt{\frac{54}{\mu}}

Notice that 54=6×954 = 6 \times 9 , therefore:

f2=126×9μ=1296μ=326μ=3f1f_2 = \frac{1}{2} \sqrt{\frac{6 \times 9}{\mu}} = \frac{1}{2} \sqrt{9} \sqrt{\frac{6}{\mu}} = \frac{3}{2} \sqrt{\frac{6}{\mu}} = 3 f_1

When the tension was increased, the frequency became thrice the original frequency.

Since the second instance of the string produces 12 beats per second this means that the frequency of the tuning fork (and original string) and the new frequency (of the string with higher tension) differ by 12 Hz. If fFf_F is the frequency of the tuning fork, then:

Either f2=fF+12f_2 = f_F + 12 Hz or f2=fF−12f_2 = f_F - 12 Hz.

Since we have determined f2=3f1f_2 = 3 f_1 and f1=fFf_1 = f_F , we can state:

Either 3fF=fF+123f_F = f_F + 12 or 3fF=fF−123f_F = f_F - 12 .

If 3fF=fF−123f_F = f_F - 12 , then :

3fF−fF=−123f_F - f_F = -12

2fF=−122f_F = -12

This result is not possible since frequency cannot be negative.

So, we must consider the correct equation which is:

f2=fF+12f_2 = f_F + 12

Now, substituting f2=3fFf_2 = 3f_F :

3fF=fF+123f_F = f_F + 12

2fF=122f_F = 12

fF=6 Hzf_F = 6 \text{ Hz}

Thus, the frequency of the tuning fork is 6 Hz.

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