Q20P

Question


Question: Figure shoes four isotropic point sources of sound that are uniformly spaced on an x axis. The sources emit sound at the same wavelength λ and same amplitude sm and they emit in phase. A point, is shown on the y axis. Assume that as the sound waves travel to, the decrease in their amplitude is negligible. What multiple of  to P if distance d in the figure is (a)λ4,(b)λ2,(c)λ



Step-by-Step Solution

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Answer

Answer

  1. Multiple ofsm  as the amplitude of the net wave at P if the distance d=λ/4 is zero.
  2. Multiple of sm as the amplitude of the net wave at P if the distance  d=λ/2 is zero.
  3. Multiple of sm as the amplitude of the net wave at P if the distance d=λis .
1Step 1: Given data


  • Point source uniformly spaced on the x axis.
  • The wavelength of the source sound is  λ.

The displacement amplitude of the source sound is  sm

2Step 2: Determining the concept


Use the principle of constructive and destructive interference to find the multiple of amplitude at point P.

 

Formulae are as follow:

  1.  f=m2πfor constructive interference m = 0, 1, 2, ....
  2.  f=2m+1πfor destructive interference m = 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
3Step 3: (a) Determining the multiple of as the amplitude of the net wave at P if the distance


 

From the problem, the sound wave has the same amplitude at the point  P 

But,L =qλ , i.e., the path length difference is some constant times wavelength. The amplitude of wave passing through point  P is the same, When,d =λ/4 , i.e., the net effect on amplitude must be zero.

There are four sources. First and third are λ/2 distance apart; similarly, second and fourth are ,λ/2, d =λ/2 , distance apart, so destructive interference occurs at P.

Since, the interference is destructive and the amplitude of the resultant wave is zero.

 

Hence, the multiple of sm  as the amplitude of the net wave at P,  if the distance d =λ/4 is zero.

4Step 4: (b) Determining the multiple of s m as the amplitude of the net wave at P if the distance d = λ / 2

 


Also, destructive interference forms between the first and second sources and third a d=λ and fourth sources, so there is no multiple of amplitude at point. 

Since, the interference is destructive, if the amplitude of the resultant wave is zero.


Hence, Multiple of   as the amplitude of the net wave at P,  if the distance   d=λ/2 is zero.


5Step 5: (c) Determining the multiple of S m as the amplitude of the net wave at P if the distance d= λ

 

 

The condition for constructive interference,

 Lλ=0,1,2,3..f=m2π



 

Difference between the two sources is d=λ, and that produces constructive interference. Four sound waves are in constructive interference, so that the amplitude increases by the factor of four, i.e.4sm.

 

Hence, multiple of  as the amplitude of the net wave at P,  if the distanced=λ is4sm .