CBSE Class 9 Science Question 9 of 17

Sound — Question 12

Back to all questions
12
Question

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

Answer

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 + 12\dfrac{1}{2}gt12

Substituting we get,

500 = (0 x t1) + (12\dfrac{1}{2} x 10 x t12)

500 = 12\dfrac{1}{2} x 10 x t12

1000 = 10 x t12

t12 = 100010\dfrac{1000}{10} = 100

Hence, t1 = 100\sqrt{100} = 10 s

Time taken by sound to reach the top from the tower base (t2)= ?

Using,

Speed = DistanceTime\dfrac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}}

or

Time = DistanceSpeed\dfrac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Speed}}

Substituting we get,

t2 = 500340\dfrac{500}{340} = 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.

Web Content: Sound | Bright Tutorials
BRIGHT TUTORIALS
Bright Tutorials Logo
BRIGHT TUTORIALS
CBSE Class IX | Academic Year 2026-2027
9403781999
Excellence in Education
Science | Chapter 11: SoundWeb Content — Quick Reference

Chapter 11: Sound — Quick Reference

longitudinal wave frequency wavelength echo SONAR ultrasound human ear speed of sound

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
Exam Tips for Chapter 11
  • 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.
Related Resources
  • 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