2022 WavesSpeed of a Transverse Wave on a String Easy Question 7 of 59 in Waves

If the initial tension on a stretched string is doubled, then the ratio of the initial and final speed of a transverse wave along the string is :

A $1:2$
B $1:1$
C $\sqrt{2}:1$
D $1:\sqrt{2}$

The answer is D.

Solution

Speed of a transverse wave on a string: $v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu}} \propto \sqrt{T}$ $\frac{v_i}{v_f} = \sqrt{\frac{T_i}{T_f}} = \sqrt{\frac{T}{2T}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$ So $v_i : v_f = 1 : \sqrt{2}$

Concept wave speed and tension

Waves in past papers

59 questions from this chapter have appeared across 25 exam years.