MCQEasyJEE 2025Wave Motion Basics

JEE Physics 2025 Question with Solution

The equation of a transverse wave travelling along a string is y(x,t)=4.0sin(20×103x+600t)y(x, t) = 4.0 \sin \left( 20 \times 10^{-3} x + 600t \right) mm, where xx is in mm and tt is in seconds. The velocity of the wave is:

  • A

    +30m/s+30 \, \text{m/s}

  • B

    60m/s-60 \, \text{m/s}

  • C

    30m/s-30 \, \text{m/s}

  • D

    +60m/s+60 \, \text{m/s}

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The wave equation is y(x,t)=4.0sin(20×103x+600t)y(x, t) = 4.0 \sin\left(20 \times 10^{-3} x + 600t\right) mm.

Find: The velocity of the wave.

Compare the given equation with the general form

y(x,t)=Asin(kx+ωt)y(x,t)=A\sin(kx+\omega t)

From this, we identify:

  • Amplitude, A=4.0mmA = 4.0 \, \text{mm}
  • Wave number, k=20×103rad/mm=20rad/mk = 20 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{rad/mm} = 20 \, \text{rad/m}
  • Angular frequency, ω=600rad/s\omega = 600 \, \text{rad/s}

The wave speed is

v=ωkv = \frac{\omega}{k}

Substituting the values,

v=60020=30m/sv = \frac{600}{20} = 30 \, \text{m/s}

This is the magnitude of the speed. Since the equation is of the form sin(kx+ωt)\sin(kx + \omega t), the wave travels in the negative xx-direction.

Therefore, the velocity of the wave is 30m/s-30 \, \text{m/s}.

The correct option is C.

Direction Sign Trick

Given: The wave equation is y(x,t)=4.0sin(20×103x+600t)y(x, t) = 4.0 \sin\left(20 \times 10^{-3} x + 600t\right).

Find: The velocity of propagation.

For a travelling wave:

  • sin(kxωt)\sin(kx - \omega t) moves in the positive xx-direction
  • sin(kx+ωt)\sin(kx + \omega t) moves in the negative xx-direction

So the sign of the velocity is negative.

Now compute the magnitude:

v=ωk=60020=30m/s|v| = \frac{\omega}{k} = \frac{600}{20} = 30 \, \text{m/s}

Hence,

v=30m/sv = -30 \, \text{m/s}

Therefore, the correct option is C.

Common mistakes

  • Using k=20×103m1k = 20 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{m}^{-1} directly is wrong because xx is given in mm, not in meters. First convert 20×103rad/mm20 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{rad/mm} to 20rad/m20 \, \text{rad/m}.

  • Taking the velocity as only +30m/s+30 \, \text{m/s} is wrong because sin(kx+ωt)\sin(kx + \omega t) represents motion in the negative xx-direction. Use the sign of the wave form to determine direction.

  • Confusing amplitude with wave speed is incorrect. The value 4.0mm4.0 \, \text{mm} is the amplitude AA, whereas speed is obtained from v=ωkv = \frac{\omega}{k}.

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