Melde Experiment

Melde Experiment Viva Questions BSc

Last updated on Monday, October 9th, 2023

Melde Experiment Aim:

To determine the frequency of the vibrator using Melde’s experiment What is the frequency of AC in Melde’s experiment? It is 50 Hz in India.

Viva Questions Melde experiment

1Q. What do you mean by progressive waves or standing waves?

Progressive waves and standing waves are two different types of wave phenomena.

A progressive wave is a wave that travels through a medium, carrying energy from one place to another. The wave consists of a series of oscillations that propagate through the medium in a particular direction. Examples of progressive waves include ocean waves, sound waves, and electromagnetic waves.

In contrast, a standing wave is a wave that appears to be stationary, meaning that the individual oscillations do not appear to be moving from one place to another. Standing waves are formed by the superposition of two waves of equal frequency and amplitude traveling in opposite directions. The resulting interference pattern creates areas of constructive and destructive interference, causing the wave to appear to be standing still. Examples of standing waves include the vibration of a guitar string or the resonance of a pipe organ.

2Q. Are longitudinal and Transverse waves are progressive waves?

Yes, both longitudinal and transverse waves can be considered as types of progressive waves.

In both cases, the wave travels through a medium and carries energy from one place to another. As the wave moves through the medium, individual particles or elements of the medium oscillate back and forth, transferring energy from one particle to the next. Therefore, longitudinal and transverse waves are considered as types of progressive waves.

3Q. How are Stationary waveforms?

A stationary wave, also known as a standing wave, is a wave that appears to be standing still rather than propagating through a medium. Stationary waves are formed by the superposition of two waves of equal frequency, amplitude, and wavelength traveling in opposite directions.

When the two waves meet, they interfere with each other, creating a pattern of nodes and antinodes. The nodes are points where the two waves destructively interfere with each other, resulting in zero amplitude. The antinodes are points where the two waves constructively interfere with each other, resulting in maximum amplitude. The nodes and antinodes are fixed in place, giving the wave the appearance of being stationary.

Stationary waves can occur in many different types of media, including air, water, and solids. For example, a guitar string vibrates at a certain frequency, producing a stationary wave pattern that determines the pitch of the sound it produces. Similarly, a column of air in a pipe organ can resonate at certain frequencies to produce stationary waves that create the characteristic sound of the instrument.

4Q. What are nodes and antinodes in a stationary wave?

In a stationary wave, also known as a standing wave, nodes and antinodes are points in the wave where the amplitude of the wave is either zero (node) or at its maximum (antinode).

Nodes are points in a stationary wave where the amplitude of the wave is zero. This occurs when two waves of equal frequency and amplitude traveling in opposite directions meet and interfere destructively. At a node, the two waves cancel each other out, resulting in zero amplitude. Nodes are always located at fixed positions within the wave, and the distance between them is determined by the wavelength of the wave.

Antinodes, on the other hand, are points in a stationary wave where the amplitude of the wave is at its maximum. This occurs when two waves of equal frequency and amplitude traveling in opposite directions meet and interfere constructively. At an antinode, the two waves reinforce each other, resulting in maximum amplitude. Antinodes are also always located at fixed positions within the wave, and the distance between them is also determined by the wavelength of the wave.

5Q. Does stationary wave and standing wave concepts are the same?

Yes, the terms “stationary wave” and “standing wave” refer to the same phenomenon. A stationary wave is a wave that appears to be standing still, rather than propagating through a medium. This type of wave is formed by the superposition of two waves of equal frequency, amplitude, and wavelength, traveling in opposite directions. When these waves interfere with each other, they create a pattern of nodes and antinodes that give the wave the appearance of being stationary.

The term “standing wave” is more commonly used in some fields, such as acoustics and optics, while “stationary wave” is more commonly used in other fields, such as physics and electrical engineering. However, both terms refer to the same phenomenon, and the properties and behavior of stationary waves.

6Q. What is the distance between any two nodes and antinodes in terms of wavelength? How much is that?

The distance between any two adjacent nodes or antinodes in a stationary wave is equal to half of the wavelength (λ/2) of the wave. This can be expressed mathematically as:

distance between adjacent nodes/antinodes = λ/2

In other words, the distance between any two adjacent nodes or antinodes is equal to one-half of the distance it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass by a fixed point in the medium.

For example, if the wavelength of a stationary wave is 1 meter, the distance between any two adjacent nodes or antinodes would be 0.5 meters. Similarly, if the wavelength is 0.5 meters, the distance between adjacent nodes or antinodes would be 0.25 meters.

It’s worth noting that the distance between adjacent nodes or antinodes is independent of the amplitude of the wave or the frequency of the wave. It is solely determined by the wavelength of the wave and the geometry of the medium in which the wave is traveling.

7Q. What is the relation between the velocity of the wave, tension, and linear density of the thread?

The velocity of a wave traveling along a thread or string is related to the tension in the string and the linear density (mass per unit length) of the string. This relationship is given by the following formula:

v = √(T/μ)

where:

v is the velocity of the wave in the string
T is the tension in the string
μ is the linear density of the string
This formula is known as the wave equation for strings or the speed equation. It tells us that the velocity of a wave in a string is directly proportional to the square root of the tension in the string and inversely proportional to the square root of the linear density of the string.

This means that if the tension in the string is increased, the velocity of the wave in the string will increase as well. Similarly, if the linear density of the string is decreased, the velocity of the wave in the string will increase.

This formula is applicable for both transverse waves and longitudinal waves traveling along a string or thread. It is important in understanding the behavior of waves in a variety of contexts, including musical instruments, electrical transmission lines, and seismic waves in the Earth’s crust.

8Q. What is the formula to calculate the frequency of the vibrator?

The frequency of a vibrator can be calculated using the following formula:

f = n/t

where:

f is the frequency of the vibrator, measured in Hertz (Hz)
n is the number of cycles or oscillations of the vibrator that occur in a given time interval, usually measured in seconds (s)
t is the duration of the time interval in which the n cycles or oscillations occur, also measured in seconds (s)
In other words, the frequency of the vibrator is equal to the number of cycles or oscillations that occur per unit time. For example, if a vibrator completes 100 oscillations in 2 seconds, the frequency of the vibrator would be:

f = 100/2 = 50 Hz

This formula applies to any type of vibrator, including those used in musical instruments, electronic circuits, and mechanical devices. It is an important tool in understanding the behavior of oscillatory systems and the properties of waves.

9Q. Can you determine the frequency of AC by using the vibrator in Melde’s Experiment?

Yes, it is possible to determine the frequency of an AC current by using a vibrator in Melde’s Experiment. Melde’s Experiment is a classic experiment in physics that demonstrates the properties of standing waves on a vibrating string. In this experiment, a string is fixed at both ends and driven by a vibrator that oscillates at a certain frequency. As the frequency of the vibrator is increased, standing waves are set up on the string, and nodes and antinodes are formed.

In order to determine the frequency of the AC current using Melde’s Experiment, we need to measure the wavelength of the standing waves on the string. This can be done by adjusting the frequency of the vibrator until standing waves are set up on the string, and then measuring the distance between adjacent nodes or antinodes. Once the wavelength is known, we can use the formula:

f = v/λ

where:

f is the frequency of the AC current
v is the speed of the waves on the string
λ is the wavelength of the standing waves on the string
The speed of the waves on the string can be calculated from the tension in the string and the linear density of the string, using the wave equation for strings. Once we know the wavelength and the speed of the waves on the string, we can calculate the frequency of the AC current that drives the vibrator.

Therefore, Melde’s Experiment can be used as a method to determine the frequency of an AC current by measuring the standing waves on a vibrating string.

10Q. What is the unit of frequency?

The unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz), which represents the number of cycles or oscillations per second. One Hertz is defined as one cycle per second.

The Hertz is named after the German physicist Heinrich Hertz, who was one of the first scientists to investigate the properties of electromagnetic waves and their relationship to light. The Hertz is used to measure the frequency of many different types of waves, including sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and mechanical waves.

In addition to Hertz, other units of frequency that are commonly used include kilohertz (kHz), which represents one thousand cycles per second, and megahertz (MHz), which represents one million cycles per second. These units are often used in electronics and communications, where high frequencies are common.

11Q. What do you understand about resonance?

In physics, resonance refers to the phenomenon that occurs when a system is subjected to an external force or disturbance that has a frequency that matches the natural frequency of the system. When this happens, the system responds with a large amplitude of vibration, which can result in the system absorbing or transferring a large amount of energy.

One of the most important characteristics of resonance is that it can lead to amplification of a signal or vibration. This occurs because the energy that is transferred to the system by the external force is added to the energy that is already present in the system. If the frequency of the external force matches the natural frequency of the system, the amplitude of the vibration can continue to increase until the system reaches a maximum amplitude.

12Q. What is the Alternating Current Frequency in India?

The frequency of the alternating current (AC) in India is 50 Hertz (Hz). This means that the direction of the current changes 50 times per second. The standard voltage for household and industrial power supply in India is 230 volts at 50 Hz frequency.

The frequency of AC is an important parameter in electrical systems, as it determines the speed at which the current alternates and the rate at which electrical power is delivered to devices. In many countries around the world, including India, the frequency of AC is standardized to ensure compatibility and reliability of electrical equipment and appliances.

It is worth noting that the frequency of AC in some countries, such as the United States and Canada, is 60 Hz. This can cause issues with the compatibility of certain electrical devices and appliances when they are used in different countries.

 


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13Q. Does AC frequency is the same in India and USA?

No, explained above

14Q. Does variation in mass on the pan can vary the wavelength of the standing wave?

In Melde’s experiment, the wavelength of the standing wave is determined by the length of the vibrating string or wire, the tension applied to it, and the linear density of the string or wire. The mass placed on the pan does not directly affect the wavelength of the standing wave, as long as the tension and the length of the string or wire are kept constant.

15Q. What are the main precautions of this Melde experiment, can you use the thin wire of steel instead of thread in the Melde experiment?

Some of the main precautions that should be taken when conducting the Melde’s experiment include:

Ensuring that the wire or thread is taut and free from any kinks or bends that could affect the accuracy of the measurements.

Using a light source that is bright and focused enough to create clear and sharp nodal patterns on the wire or thread.

Ensuring that the wire or thread is not subject to any external vibrations or disturbances that could cause it to move or vibrate in an uncontrolled manner.

Taking care to avoid touching the wire or thread during the experiment, as this could introduce unwanted vibrations or alter the standing wave pattern.

Using appropriate safety measures, such as gloves and eye protection, when handling any sharp or potentially hazardous materials.

Regarding the use of steel wire instead of thread, it is possible to use a thin wire of steel in the Melde’s experiment. However, the properties of the steel wire, such as its density and elasticity, may be different from those of the thread, which could affect the frequency and wavelength of the standing wave. It is important to select a wire with the appropriate properties and to make any necessary adjustments to the tension and length of the wire to achieve accurate results.

READ ALSO: Charge to mass ratio experiment

This experiment includes a solenoid, in the center, we put an iron rod. When current passes through the coils it produces a magnetic field. The polarity of this magnetic field changes frequently and it is obvious, changes into magnetization of the rod.


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When its polarity changes it is attracted and repelled by a permanent magnetic piece. When this happens you can observe the vibration in the rod. Now, these vibrations depend on the frequency of the applied alternating current.

By this way, you determine the frequency of the alternating current.

What is the purpose of Melde’s experiment?
Why electromagnet is used in Melde’s experiment?
What is the formula for Melde’s experiment?
मेल्डे के प्रयोग में विद्युत चुंबक का उपयोग क्यों किया जाता है?
What is the principle of Meldes?
What is the frequency of Melde’s experiment?
What is the conclusion of Melde’s experiment?
What is tension in Melde’s experiment?
What is resonance in Melde’s experiment?
What is the principle of this experiment Sonometer?

List of all Other Experiments

Hall Effect experiment Magnetic Susceptibility of the FeCl3
Michelson Morley experiment Charge to Mass Ratio by Thomson
Stewart and Gee’s Melde Experiment
Attenuation losses Semiconductor Diode
Planck’s Constant Magnetic Susceptibility by Quincke Method
Hall Effect Experiment Magnetic Susceptibility
Michelson Interferometer Newtons Ring Experiment

 

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