Try each question on your own first. Use the Show Answer button only after you have selected your option, then read the explanation and revise the related concept from your chapter notes.
Explanation: Sound travels as longitudinal waves in air, where medium particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation creating compressions and rarefactions.
2. Sound cannot travel through which of the following?
A. Solids
B. Liquids
C. Gases
D. Vacuum
Answer: D. Vacuum
Explanation: Sound requires a material medium to propagate. Since a vacuum has no particles to vibrate, sound cannot travel through it.
3. What is the audible range of hearing for a healthy human ear?
A. 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
B. Below 20 Hz only
C. Above 20,000 Hz only
D. 2 Hz to 2,000 Hz
Answer: A. 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Explanation: The human ear can detect sound frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz (20,000 Hz). Frequencies below 20 Hz are infrasonic, and above 20 kHz are ultrasonic.
4. Pitch of a sound depends directly on its:
A. Amplitude
B. Frequency
C. Speed
D. Wavelength
Answer: B. Frequency
Explanation: Higher frequency corresponds to a higher pitch (shriller sound), while lower frequency produces a lower pitch (deeper sound).
5. Loudness of sound is determined primarily by its:
A. Frequency
B. Speed
C. Amplitude
D. Time period
Answer: C. Amplitude
Explanation: Loudness is proportional to the square of the amplitude of vibration. Larger amplitude produces a louder sound.
6. What is the relation between wave speed (v), frequency (ν), and wavelength (λ)?
A. v = ν / λ
B. v = ν × λ
C. v = λ / ν
D. v = ν + λ
Answer: B. v = ν × λ
Explanation: Wave velocity = Frequency × Wavelength (v = νλ or v = fλ).
7. To hear a distinct echo at 22°C in air, what is the minimum distance required between the listener and the reflecting surface?
A. 34.4 m
B. 17.2 m
C. 50 m
D. 10 m
Answer: B. 17.2 m
Explanation: The human ear retains sound sensation for 0.1 s. Distance = (Speed × Time) / 2 = (344 m/s × 0.1 s) / 2 = 17.2 meters.
8. The persistence of sound in a big hall due to repeated reflections is called:
A. Echo
B. Reverberation
C. Refraction
D. Resonance
Answer: B. Reverberation
Explanation: Repeated reflections that cause sound to persist in an enclosed space is called reverberation, which is reduced using sound-absorbent materials.
9. Which technology uses ultrasound to measure the depth of the sea or locate underwater objects?
A. RADAR
B. SONAR
C. ECG
D. MRI
Answer: B. SONAR
Explanation: SONAR stands for Sound Navigation And Ranging. It uses ultrasonic waves to measure distance, direction, and speed of underwater objects.
10. Speed of sound is maximum in which state of matter?
A. Solids
B. Liquids
C. Gases
D. Same in all media
Answer: A. Solids
Explanation: Sound travels fastest in solids because particles are tightly packed, allowing faster transfer of vibrational energy compared to liquids and gases.
This page contains a chapter-wise objective practice set. Try the questions without checking the answer first, then use the explanation to understand the point you missed. The current page contains 10 questions, so you can practise in smaller sets when you are revising.
Quick revision tip
After the practice set, write down the question numbers you missed and revise only those concepts once more. This makes MCQ practice more useful than repeatedly attempting the same questions without reviewing mistakes.
