Question:

A stationary observer receives sound from two identical tuning forks, one of which approaches and the other one recedes with the same speed (much less than the speed of sound). The observer hears 2 beats/sec. The oscillation frequency of each tuning fork is v0 = 1400 Hz and the velocity of sound in air is 350 m/s. The speed of each tuning fork is close to :

Show Hint

For source speed \(u\ll v\): \(f_{app}\approx f_0\left(1\pm\dfrac uv\right)\), so the beat frequency is \(\dfrac{2f_0u}{v}\).
Updated On: Oct 31, 2026
  • 1 m/s
  • \( {1 \over 8} \) m/s
  • \( {1 \over 4} \) m/s
  • \( {1 \over 2} \) m/s
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Approaching fork: \(f_1=\dfrac{f_0v}{v-u}\approx f_0\left(1+\dfrac uv\right)\). Receding fork: \(f_2=\dfrac{f_0v}{v+u}\approx f_0\left(1-\dfrac uv\right)\).
Step 2: Beat frequency \(=f_1-f_2=\dfrac{2f_0u}{v}=2\).
Step 3: \(u=\dfrac{2v}{2f_0}=\dfrac{350}{1400}=0.25\) m/s \(=\dfrac14\) m/s.
Answer: (C) \(\dfrac14\) m/s
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top JEE Main Physics Questions

View More Questions