One tuning fork vibrates at 440 Hz, while a second tuning fork vibrates at an unknown frequency. When both tuning forks are sounded simultaneously, you hear a tone that rises and falls three times per second. What is the frequency of the second tuning fork?

Question

Jordan Mahoney

Physics

4 January, 13:01

One tuning fork vibrates at 440 Hz, while a second tuning fork vibrates at an unknown frequency. When both tuning forks are sounded simultaneously, you hear a tone that rises and falls three times per second. What is the frequency of the second tuning fork?

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Alyson Burke · Answer 1

On sounding two tuning forks together, we hear beats which is heard at a rate equal to difference of frequencies of tuning forks.

In the present case too, beat is heard.

Frequency of beat heard = 3

The frequency of second tuning fork must be higher by 3 or lower by 3

So the possible frequencies of vibration of unknown tuning fork = 440 + 3 or 440 - 3

443 Hz

or, 437 Hz.

443 Or 437 is the answer.