All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

The equation of a transverse wave is $y = y_0 \sin 2\pi(ft - \frac{x}{\lambda})$. If the maximum particle velocity be four times that of wave velocity then

This question was previously asked in
WBJEE 2026 Physics and Chemistry Question Paper (24-May-2026)
The correct answer is
$\lambda = \frac{\pi y_0}{2}$

Problem Analysis:

We are given the equation of a transverse wave: $y = y_0 \sin 2\pi(ft - \frac{x}{\lambda})$. We are also given the condition that the maximum particle velocity is four times the wave velocity. We need to find the relationship between the wavelength ($\lambda$) and amplitude ($y_0$).

Deriving Particle Velocity

The particle velocity ($v_p$) is the rate of change of displacement ($y$) with respect to time ($t$). We find it by differentiating the wave equation with respect to $t$:

$ v_p = \frac{\partial y}{\partial t} = \frac{\partial}{\partial t} \left[ y_0 \sin 2\pi(ft - \frac{x}{\lambda}) \right] $

Using the chain rule:

$ v_p = y_0 \cos 2\pi(ft - \frac{x}{\lambda}) \cdot \frac{\partial}{\partial t} \left[ 2\pi(ft - \frac{x}{\lambda}) \right] $

$ v_p = y_0 \cos 2\pi(ft - \frac{x}{\lambda}) \cdot (2\pi f) $

$ v_p = 2\pi f y_0 \cos 2\pi(ft - \frac{x}{\lambda}) $

Finding Maximum Particle Velocity

The maximum value of the cosine function ($\cos \theta$) is 1. Therefore, the maximum particle velocity ($v_{p,max}$) is:

$ v_{p,max} = 2\pi f y_0 $

Determining Wave Velocity

The wave equation can be written as $y = y_0 \sin(2\pi f t - \frac{2\pi x}{\lambda})$.

Comparing this with the standard form $y = A \sin(\omega t - kx)$, we identify:

  • Angular frequency $\omega = 2\pi f$
  • Wave number $k = \frac{2\pi}{\lambda}$

The wave velocity ($v_w$) is given by $v_w = \frac{\omega}{k}$:

$ v_w = \frac{2\pi f}{\frac{2\pi}{\lambda}} = f \lambda $

Applying the Condition and Solving for Wavelength

The problem states that $v_{p,max} = 4 \cdot v_w$. Substituting the expressions we found:

$ 2\pi f y_0 = 4 \cdot (f \lambda) $

Assuming $f \neq 0$, we can cancel $f$ from both sides:

$ 2\pi y_0 = 4 \lambda $

Now, we solve for $\lambda$:

$ \lambda = \frac{2\pi y_0}{4} $

$ \lambda = \frac{\pi y_0}{2} $

Conclusion

The relationship derived matches Option B.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. The displacement of a plane progressive wave in a medium, travelling towards positive x-axis with velocity 4 m/s at t = 0 is given by \(y = 3\sin 2\pi\left(-\dfrac{x}{3}\right)\). Then the expression for the displacement at a later time t = 4 sec will be

  2. In a simple harmonic motion, let f be the acceleration and T be the time period. If x denotes the displacement, then |f T| vs. x graph will look like,

  3. A wave disturbance in a medium is described by \(y(x,t)=0.02\cos\left(50\pi t+\dfrac{\pi}{2}\right)\cos(10\pi x)\) where x, y are in meters and t is in second. Which statement(s) is/are correct?

  4. The equation of a stationary wave along a stretched string is given by

    \(y=5\sin\dfrac{\pi x}{3}\cos 40\pi t\).

    Here x and y are in cm and t in second. The separation between two adjacent nodes is

  5. The variation of displacement with time of a simple harmonic motion (SHM) for a particle of mass m is represented by \(y=2\sin\left(\dfrac{\pi t}{2}+\phi\right)\) cm. The maximum acceleration of the particle is

  6. If the pressure, temperature and density of an ideal gas are denoted by \(P\), \(T\) and \(\rho\), respectively, the velocity of sound in the gas is

  7. A unit negative charge with mass \(M\) resides at the midpoint of the straight line of length \(2a\) adjoining two fixed charges of magnitude \(+Q\) each. If it is given a very small displacement \(x(x\ll a)\) in a direction perpendicular to the straight line, it will

  8. A uniform string of length \(L\) and mass \(M\) is fixed at both ends while it is subject to a tension \(T\). It can vibrate at frequencies (\(\nu\)) given by the formula (where \(n = 1, 2, 3, \ldots\))

  9. The velocity of a particle executing a simple harmonic motion is \(13\ \mathrm{ms^{-1}}\), when its distance from the equilibrium position (Q) is 3 m and its velocity is \(12\ \mathrm{ms^{-1}}\), when it is 5 m away from Q. The frequency of the simple harmonic motion is

  10. Sound waves are passing through two routes- one in straight path and the other along a semicircular path of radius \(r\), and are again combined into one pipe and superposed as shown in the figure. If the velocity of sound waves in the pipe is \(v\), then frequencies of resultant waves of maximum amplitude will be integral multiples of


Important Questions from Oscillations and Waves

  1. Two tuning forks $A$ and $B$ are sounded together giving rise to $8$ beats in $2\text{ s}$. When fork $A$ is loaded with wax, the beat frequency is reduced to $4$ beats in $2\text{ s}$. If the original frequency of tuning fork $B$ is $380\text{ Hz}$ then original frequency of tuning fork $A$ is _________ $\text{Hz}$.
  2. 5 beats/second are heard when a turning fork is sounded with a sonometer wire under tension, when the length of the sonometer wire is either 0.95 m or 1 m. The frequency of the fork will be
  3. A sinusoidal wave of wavelength 7.5 cm travels a distance of 1.2 cm along the x-direction in 0.3 sec. The crest P is at x=0 at t=0 sec and maximum displacement of the wave is 2 cm. Which equation correctly represents this wave ?
  4. A particle is subjected to two simple harmonic motions as : 
    $x_1 = \sqrt{7} \sin 5t \text{ cm}$ and $x_2 = 2\sqrt{7} \sin \left(5t + \frac{\pi}{3}\right) \text{ cm}$ 
    where x is displacement and t is time in seconds. The maximum acceleration of the particle is $x \times 10^{-2} \text{ ms}^{-2}$. The value of x is :

  5. The displacement of a plane progressive wave in a medium, travelling towards positive x-axis with velocity 4 m/s at t = 0 is given by \(y = 3\sin 2\pi\left(-\dfrac{x}{3}\right)\). Then the expression for the displacement at a later time t = 4 sec will be

Need Expert Advice?
More Questions from WBJEE

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App