Question:medium

When two tuning forks are sounded together, 6 beats per second are heard. One of the fork is in unison with $0.70 \text{ m}$ length of sonometer wire and another fork is in unison with $0.69 \text{ m}$ length of the same sonometer wire. The frequencies of the two tuning forks are}

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Shorter wire length always corresponds to a higher frequency.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • 320 Hz, 326 Hz
  • 414 Hz, 420 Hz
  • 420 Hz, 426 Hz
  • 480 Hz, 486 Hz
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The beat frequency between two tuning forks is the absolute difference between their individual frequencies.
A tuning fork in unison with a sonometer wire has the same fundamental frequency as that segment of the wire.
For a stretched string under constant tension, the fundamental frequency is inversely proportional to its vibrating length.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Beat frequency: $n = |f_1 - f_2| = 6 \text{ Hz}$.
Sonometer frequency relation: $f \propto \frac{1}{L}$.
Therefore, $\frac{f_1}{f_2} = \frac{L_2}{L_1}$.
We have two equations and two unknowns to solve for $f_1$ and $f_2$.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let the frequencies of the two tuning forks be $f_1$ and $f_2$.
Let $f_1$ be in unison with length $L_1 = 0.70 \text{ m}$.
Let $f_2$ be in unison with length $L_2 = 0.69 \text{ m}$.
Since length $L_1>L_2$, its corresponding frequency must be lower: $f_1<f_2$.
From the beat frequency information: \[ f_2 - f_1 = 6 \quad \text{--- (Equation 1)} \] From the law of length for stretched strings: \[ \frac{f_1}{f_2} = \frac{L_2}{L_1} = \frac{0.69}{0.70} = \frac{69}{70} \] Let $f_1 = 69k$ and $f_2 = 70k$, where $k$ is a constant multiplier.
Substitute these into Equation 1: \[ 70k - 69k = 6 \] \[ k = 6 \] Now calculate the actual frequencies: \[ f_1 = 69 \times 6 = 414 \text{ Hz} \] \[ f_2 = 70 \times 6 = 420 \text{ Hz} \] The frequencies are $414 \text{ Hz}$ and $420 \text{ Hz}$.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The frequencies are 414 Hz, 420 Hz.
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