Question 12
A stone is dropped from the top of a tower 500 m high into a pond of water at the base of the tower. When is the splash heard at the top? Given, g = 10 ms-2 and speed of sound = 340 ms-1
Given,
Height of tower (s) = 500 m
Velocity of sound (v) = 340 ms-1
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 ms-2
Initial velocity of the stone (u) = 0
Time taken by the stone to fall to the tower base (t1):
According to the second equation of motion,
s = ut1 + gt12
Substituting we get,
500 = (0 x t1) + ( x 10 x t12)
500 = x 10 x t12
1000 = 10 x t12
t12 = = 100
Hence, t1 = = 10 s
Time taken by sound to reach the top from the tower base (t2)= ?
Using,
Speed =
or
Time =
Substituting we get,
t2 = = 1.47 s
t = t1 + t2
t = 10 + 1.47
t = 11.47 s
Hence, the splash will be heard at the top after 11.47 s.
Chapter 11: Sound — Quick Reference
Quick Revision Points
- Sound: produced by vibration, needs medium, longitudinal wave (compressions + rarefactions)
- v = fλ; Speed in air ≈ 344 m/s; Solids > Liquids > Gases
- Loudness → amplitude; Pitch → frequency; Quality → waveform
- Echo: reflected sound; min distance = 17.2 m (at v = 344 m/s, t ≥ 0.1 s)
- Audible range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz; Infrasound < 20 Hz; Ultrasound > 20 kHz
- SONAR: d = vt/2; Human ear: pinna → canal → eardrum → hammer/anvil/stirrup → cochlea → auditory nerve
- Read the detailed chapter notes for complete coverage of all NCERT topics.
- Practice all NCERT in-text and back exercise questions — they are frequently asked in exams.
- Focus on comparison tables, diagrams, and definitions — these are high-scoring areas.
- For numericals (if applicable), practice at least 20 problems of varying difficulty.
- Refer to the practice question bank (200+ questions) for thorough preparation.
- Detailed Notes: ch11-sound.html
- Practice Questions: 100+ questions with answers in 05-practice-questions/
- Chapter Test: 30-mark test paper in 06-tests/chapter-tests-30marks/
- Formula Sheet: Complete formula reference in 03-teacher-aid/formula-sheet.html