Two sound waves have frequencies of 340 Hz and 370 Hz. Determine the beat frequency produced by...

Question:

Two sound waves have frequencies of 340 Hz and 370 Hz. Determine the beat frequency produced by these waves combining together. Will these beats be detected by humans? Explain.

Beat

When two waves of same type having a very small frequency difference superimpose with each other they form beat. Where the beat frequency is equal to the difference in the frequency of the superimposing waves.

Data Given

• Frequency of the wave one {eq}\nu_1 = 340 \ Hz {/eq}
• Frequency of the wave two {eq}\nu_2 = 370 \ Hz {/eq}

We knaw that beat frequency is given by

{eq}\begin{align} \Delta \nu = \nu_2 - \nu_1 \end{align} {/eq}

{eq}\begin{align} \Delta \nu = 370 \ Hz - 340 \ Hz = 30 \ Hz \end{align} {/eq}

We know that humen ear are senstive to frequency range {eq}20 \ Hz \ to \ 20 \ kHz {/eq}

As the beat frequency {eq}\begin{align} \Delta \nu = 30 \ Hz \end{align} {/eq} is in the human audible range so beats will be detected by humans.

The Resultant Amplitude of Two Superposed Waves

from MEGA Physics: Practice & Study Guide

Chapter 15 / Lesson 10
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