Q 1PhysicsSection A • MCQwaves
+4 / -1Two harmonic waves moving in the same direction superimpose to form a wave x=acos(1.5t)cos(50.5t) where t is in seconds. Find the period with which they beat (close to nearest integer)
A
6 s
B
4 s
C
1 s
D
2 s
Official Correct Answer:Option (D)
Step-by-Step Solution:
We are given that two harmonic waves moving in the same direction superimpose to form:
' in math mode at position 1:̲x = a \cos(1.5t…" style="color:#cc0000">x=acos(1.5t)cos(50.5t)</span>where t is in seconds.
Step 1: Decompose using the product-to-sum identity
We use the trigonometric identity:
' in math mode at position 1:̲\cos A \cos B =…" style="color:#cc0000">cosAcosB=21[cos(A−B)+cos(A+B)]</span>Applying this with A=50.5t and B=1.5t:
' in math mode at position 1:̲x = a \cos(1.5t…" style="color:#cc0000">x=acos(1.5t)cos(50.5t)=2a[cos(50.5t−1.5t)+cos(50.5t+1.5t)]</span> ' in math mode at position 1:̲x = \frac{a}{2}…" style="color:#cc0000">x=2a[cos(49t)+cos(52t)]</span>Step 2: Identify the two component waves
The superposition consists of two harmonic waves with angular frequencies:
ω1=49 rad/s and ω2=52 rad/s
Step 3: Find the beat frequency and beat period
The beat angular frequency is:
' in math mode at position 1:̲\omega_{beat} =…" style="color:#cc0000">ωbeat=∣ω2−ω1∣=∣52−49∣=3 rad/s</span>The beat period is:
' in math mode at position 1:̲T_{beat} = \fra…" style="color:#cc0000">Tbeat=ωbeat2π=32π</span> ' in math mode at position 1:̲T_{beat} = \fra…" style="color:#cc0000">Tbeat=32×3.14=36.28≈2.09 s</span>Rounding to the nearest integer: Tbeat≈2 s.
Hence, the correct answer is Option D.

























