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Question

If the frequency of a sound wave increases while its speed in the medium remains unchanged, what happens to its wavelength?

This question was previously asked in
RRB JE 2025 CBT 2 Mechanical and Allied Engg Question Paper English (2-Jul-2026) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

Its wavelength decreases.

To determine what happens to the wavelength of a sound wave when its frequency increases while its speed remains constant, we must consider the fundamental relationship between the speed of a wave (\( v \)), its frequency (\( f \)), and its wavelength (\( \lambda \)). This relationship is given by the wave equation:

v = f \cdot \lambda

In this equation:

  • v is the speed of the wave in the medium.
  • f is the frequency of the wave.
  • \(\lambda\) is the wavelength of the wave.

Since the speed \( v \) of the sound wave in the medium is constant, any change in frequency will inversely affect the wavelength. Let's analyze the situation step by step:

  1. If the frequency \( f \) increases, then according to the wave equation, to keep the product \( f \cdot \lambda = v \) constant, the wavelength \( \lambda \) must decrease.
  2. This occurs because the speed \( v \) is a constant value for the wave traveling in a given medium, and when the frequency goes up, the product of frequency and wavelength needs to remain the same constant value.

Thus, the correct option is: Its wavelength decreases.

To summarize, when the frequency of a sound wave increases and its speed remains unchanged, the wavelength decreases, as confirmed from the fundamental wave equation.

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Similar Questions

  1. Which of the following best explains why radio waves are suitable for long-distance communication compared to other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum?

  2. A scientist is designing a concert hall to optimize acoustics. She wants the audience to perceive louder sounds without increasing the energy input from the speakers. Which characteristic of sound should she focus on modifying within the hall's design?

  3. A car is at rest with its horn continuously sounding. If a person walks toward the car, how does the frequency of the sound heard by the person change?

  4. Which of the following statements best explains how the speed of sound changes when it travels from air into water?


Important Questions from Wave

  1. Which of the following is correct?

    I. Sound is a mechanical wave

    II. Sound wave does not need any medium to propagate

  2. At a particular temperature, sound propagates in ______ at the fastest speed .

  3. The atmospheric green house effect is produced mainly by the absorption and re-emission of:

  4. Which of the following are examples of electromagnetic waves?

    a. Television waves

    b. Ultraviolet rays

    c. X-rays

    d. Sun rays

  5. When light passes from one medium into another medium, then the physical property which does not change is

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