Question

Beats are the result of
A) Diffraction
B) Destructive interference
C) Constructive and destructive interference
D) Superposition of two waves of nearly equal frequencies

Answer 1

Hint: Always keep in mind that the beat is defined as an interference pattern between two sounds of different frequencies. Also remember that the inference is different from beat as interference is produced when two waves of the same frequency travels in the same direction.

Complete step by step solution:
As we know that the beating is generated by the difference in frequency when two sounds are almost same in pitch but not identical.
A wave also propagates through time not only travels through space, so if by overlapping in space, the two waves can produce interference they can also produce interference patterns if they overlap in time.

Therefore, beats is the superposition of two waves of nearly equal frequencies.

Additional information: Sound is a pressure wave that consists of rarefactions and compressions. Beats can be produced by the alternating constructive and destructive interference, when two sound waves of different frequency approach human ear, this causes the sound to be alternatively soft and loud. Also the beat frequency is equal to the value of number of beats per second which is equal to the difference in the frequency between the two interfering waves.

Note: There are various applications of beats that are:
1. Beats are mainly used in tuning the musical instruments like violin, guitar, sitar, etc.
2. They can also be used in finding the frequency of the given tuning fork.
3. They are used in mines also for the detection of harmful gases.
4. They are also used in the Sonometer experiment for adjusting the vibrating length between the two bridges.