Rohit is trying to tune an instrument. He strikes a tuning fork and then plays a note that almost matches it. Rohit hears the volume of the two waves beating, which sounds like "wah-wah-wah-wah." What is the cause of the beats?
Answer
A
The two waves produced have different wavelengths.
B
The two waves produced have different speeds.
C
The two waves produced have different frequencies.
D
The two waves produced have different amplitudes.
Explanation
Beats occur when two sound waves with slightly different frequencies interfere with each other. Their waves alternately reinforce and cancel, making the loudness rise and fall as “wah-wah-wah.” Therefore, the correct choice is C, the two waves produced have different frequencies.
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