Ncert Exercises & Solutions

The speed of sound in a fluid depends upon

(a) directly on the density of the medium.

(b) square of the Bulk modulus of the medium.

(d) directly on the square root of the bulk modulus of the medium.

Choose the correct alternatives:
1. (a, b)

2. (a, c)

3. (b, d)

4. (c, d)

(3) Hint: The speed of sound depends on the bulk modulus and the density of the medium.

Step 1: Find the speed of the sound.

The speed of sound waves in a fluid is given by,

ν = \sqrt{\frac{B}{ρ}}

where B is Bulk modulus and is the density of the medium.

Clearly,

ν \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{ρ}}

[

∴

for any fluid, B = constant]

and,

v \propto \sqrt{B}

[∵ for medium, ρ = constant]