Waves Class 11 Case Study Questions Physics Chapter 14

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Hello students, we are providing case study questions for class 11 Physics. Case study questions are the new question format that is introduced in CBSE board. The resources for case study questions are very less. So, to help students we have created chapterwise case study questions for class 11 Physics. In this article, you will find case study questions for cbse class 11 Physics chapter 14 Waves.

ChapterWaves
Type of QuestionsCase Study Questions
Nature of QuestionsCompetency Based Questions
BoardCBSE
Class11
SubjectPhysics
Useful forClass 11 Studying Students
Answers providedYes
Difficulty levelMentioned
Important LinkClass 11 Physics Chapterwise Case Study

Case Study Questions on Waves

Case Study Question 1

The Smart Bridge Resonance Incident

In a futuristic smart city, engineers designed a new pedestrian bridge embedded with IoT sensors to monitor vibrations in real time. During a festival, a flash mob of dancers gathered on the bridge, performing rhythmic jumps in unison to a beat playing at 2 Hz. Suddenly, an alert was triggered: the amplitude of bridge oscillations began to grow rapidly even though the dancers’ force remained the same. The smart system immediately activated dampers, stopping the dance and stabilizing the bridge.

Later, physics students were called in to analyze what happened. They found that the natural frequency of the bridge matched the jumping frequency of the dancers. This rare and unexpected resonance caused constructive interference of mechanical waves in the bridge, leading to dangerously large vibrations.

Q1. What physical phenomenon most likely caused the sudden increase in bridge vibrations?
(a) Reflection of sound waves
(b) Doppler effect
(c) Resonance due to matching frequencies
(d) Destructive interference

Answer: (c) Resonance due to matching frequencies
Explanation: Resonance occurs when the external frequency (2 Hz from the dancers) matches the natural frequency of the bridge, causing a sharp increase in amplitude.

Q2. What type of mechanical wave was primarily responsible for the bridge oscillations?
(a) Longitudinal waves in air
(b) Transverse waves in the bridge material
(c) Standing sound waves
(d) Electromagnetic waves in sensors

Answer: (b) Transverse waves in the bridge material
Explanation: The bridge experienced transverse mechanical waves, where the structure moved perpendicular to the wave propagation due to rhythmic forces.

Q3. If the smart system hadn’t activated the dampers, what wave principle could explain the continuous increase in amplitude?
(a) Principle of superposition
(b) Reflection at boundary
(c) Refraction of mechanical waves
(d) Doppler effect

Answer: (a) Principle of superposition
Explanation: The amplitudes of waves from repeated rhythmic jumps would have added constructively over time due to the superposition principle, especially during resonance.

Q4. What is the best way to avoid such a resonance-based hazard in future bridge designs?
(a) Ensure the bridge is fully rigid
(b) Avoid using sensors that detect waves
(c) Design the bridge with a natural frequency that avoids common rhythmic activities
(d) Use soundproof materials

Answer: (c) Design the bridge with a natural frequency that avoids common rhythmic activities
Explanation: By engineering the bridge’s natural frequency to be different from typical human-induced frequencies (like dancing or marching), resonance can be prevented.


Case Study Question 2

Read the passage and answer the questions below:

While watching a live cricket match on TV, Riya noticed that the commentator’s voice reached her ears almost instantaneously. She wondered how sound, a mechanical wave, could travel so quickly through air. At the same time, her brother, experimenting with a slinky, pushed one end, observing compression moving along its length. On a nearby table, a string attached to a wall vibrated up and down producing visible waves. This prompted a discussion between them about types of mechanical waves and their characteristics.

Q1. What type of wave is formed on the string Riya’s brother observed?
Q2. What type of wave is formed in the slinky experiment?
Q3. Why is sound categorized as a longitudinal wave?
Q4. Can transverse waves travel through gases? Why or why not?

Answers:

A1. A transverse wave is formed on the string because the particles of the string move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
A2. A longitudinal wave is formed in the slinky where particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of wave propagation.
A3. Sound is categorized as a longitudinal wave because the air particles oscillate back and forth in the direction of the wave, creating compressions and rarefactions.
A4. No, transverse waves require a medium with shear modulus (like solids). Gases cannot support shear stress, so transverse waves cannot travel through gases.

We hope the given case study questions for Waves Class 11 helps you in your learning.


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Topics from which case study questions may be asked

  • Wave motion
  • Transverse and longitudinal waves
  • Speed of wave
  • Principle of superposition

Wave superposition can lead to constructive or destructive interference — the base for sound and light wave behavior.

For further practice on case study questions related to Waves Class 11 Physics, we recommend exploring the link given below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Waves Case Study Questions

Q1: What are case study questions in Waves?

A1: Case study questions in Waves test your ability to apply concepts in real-life scenarios.

Q2: Are these questions asked in board exams?

A2: Yes, CBSE has started including case study/competency-based questions in final exams.

Q3: How should I prepare for case study questions?

A3: Focus on understanding concepts and practicing application-based problems.

Q4: Are answers provided for Class 11 Physics Waves case study questions?

A4: Yes, detailed answers are provided for all questions.

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Waves Class 11 Case Study Questions Physics Chapter 14

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