1. A violin note and sitar note may have the same frequency, yet we can distinguish between the two notes,

Question

Explain why (or how):

1. A violin note and sitar note may have the same frequency, yet we can distinguish between the two notes, 

2. Solids can support both longitudinal and transverse waves, but only longitudinal waves can propagate In gases, and 

3. The shape of a pulse gets distorted during propagation in a dispersive medium.

Answer 1

1. Because they emit different harmonies which can be easily differentiated by human ears. 

2. This is because solids have both shear and bulk modulus of elasticity whereas gas has only bulk modulus of elasticity. 

3. A sound pulse consists of waves with different wavelengths. In a dispersive medium, these waves travel with different velocities which distorts the shape of pulse.