A tuning fork produces 3 beats per second when sounded together with a fork of frequency 364 Hz. When the…
A tuning fork produces 3 beats per second when sounded together with a fork of frequency 364 Hz. When the first fork is loaded with a little wax, then the number of beats becomes two per second. What is the frequency of the first fork?
Solution
Sol. Number of beats, $v = \pm (v_1 - v_2)$
⇒ $v_1 = v_2 + v$ or $v_2 - v$
⇒ $v_1 = 364 + 3 = 367\ \text{Hz}$
or $v_1 = 364 - 3 = 361\ \text{Hz}$
Loading a fork with wax decreases its frequency.
On loading the first fork, the number of beats produced per second decreases, therefore $v_1 = 367\ \text{Hz}$.
Answer: $367\ \text{Hz}$