Q119 / 200 · NEET 2012 (Screening) · Physics

When a string is divided into three segments of lengths $l_1, l_2$ and $l_3$, the fundamental frequencies of these three segments are $v_1$, $v_2$ and $v_3$ respectively. The original fundamental frequency $(v)$ of the string is

  • A
    $\sqrt{v}=\sqrt{v_1}+\sqrt{v_2}+\sqrt{v_3}$
  • B
    $v=v_1+v_2+v_3$
  • Correct answer
    C
    $\frac{1}{v}=\frac{1}{v_1}+\frac{1}{v_2}+\frac{1}{v_3}$
  • D
    $\frac{1}{\sqrt{v}}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{v_1}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{v_2}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{v_3}}$

Solution

The fundamental frequency of string $\begin{aligned} v & =\frac{1}{2 l} \sqrt{\frac{T}{m}} \\ \therefore v_1 l_1 & =v_2 l_2=v_2 l_3=k \end{aligned}$ From Eq. (i) $l_1=\frac{k}{v_1}, l_2=\frac{k}{v_2}, l_3=\frac{k}{v_3}$ Original length $\begin{aligned} l & =\frac{k}{v} \\ l & =l_1+l_2+l_3 \\ \frac{k}{v} & =\frac{k}{v_1}+\frac{k}{v_2}+\frac{k}{v_3} \\ \frac{1}{v} & =\frac{1}{v_1}+\frac{1}{v_2}+\frac{1}{v_3} \end{aligned}$ Here, $\begin{aligned} & l=l_1+l_2+l_3 \\ & \frac{k}{v}=\frac{k}{v_1}+\frac{k}{v_2}+\frac{k}{v_3} \\ & \frac{1}{v}=\frac{1}{v_1}+\frac{1}{v_2}+\frac{1}{v_3} \end{aligned}$

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.

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