Question

Two tuning forks having frequencies 320 Hz and 340 Hz are sounded together to produce sound waves. The velocity of sound in air is 340 m/s. Find the difference in wavelength of these waves.

Hint:

The difference in the wavelengths of two sound waves is caused by the difference in their frequencies and the speed of sound.

Answer 1

The wavelength \( \lambda \) of a sound wave is related to its frequency \( f \) and the speed of sound \( v \) by the following equation: \[ \lambda = \frac{v}{f} \] For the two tuning forks, the wavelengths are: \[ \lambda_1 = \frac{340}{320} = 1.0625 \, {m}, \quad \lambda_2 = \frac{340}{340} = 1.0 \, {m} \] The difference in wavelengths is: \[ \Delta \lambda = \lambda_1 - \lambda_2 = 1.0625 - 1 = 0.0625 \, {m} \]