Beats can be used to find:

Explanation

Applying the phenomenon of beat unknown frequency, 'n' of a tuning fork can be measured. A tuning fork of known frequency is chosen by trial and error, which produces beat with this tuning fork. If the known frequency of the tuning fork is n1, then the unknown frequency is almost equal to 'n'.Now the number of beats in is counted. According to the definition, m = n1 - n. Then a small amount of wax is attached to any arm of the tuning fork to slightly decrease the frequency in order to find whether n1 is greater or smaller than 'n'. If the number of beats increases then n1 is greater than 'n', hence m = n1 - n or, n1 = n + m. But if the number of beats decreases, then m = n - n1 or, n, = n - m. In this way, the unknown frequency of the tuning fork can be determined.