Acuna, Allen Group 1

Ahmed, Sharlin 2C-MT

Alarcon, Nathan
Alvero, Carl Andrew
Antonio, Kristoffer Val
Balete, Jan Eric


Experiment #6
Resonance: Speed of Sound

ABSTRACT

Sound is a mechanical and longitudinal wave. Wave travel, called propagation, has a
different velocity through each material, like water or air. In this experiment the velocity of
sound in air was measured using tuning forks of known frequency and the wavelength of the
sound wave, which was determined by making use of the resonance of an air column in a closed
pipe system. A large graduated cylinder was used for the experiment. The length of the air
column was changed by raising or lowering the water level while the tuning fork is held over the
open end of the tube. Resonance was indicated by the sudden increase in the intensity of the
sound when the column was adjusted to the proper length. The experimental speed of sound
(328m/s) was then compared with the actual speed of sound calculated (344.9m/s).


GENERALIZATION

The velocity with which sound travels in any medium may be determined if the
frequency and the wavelength are known. The relationship between these quantities is:
v = f
v = velocity of sound propagation
f = frequency
= wavelength

In a closed pipe system, the wavelength of a sound wave can be calculated by observing
the length of the air column where resonance is greatest, and by measuring the diameter of the
closed pipe (e.g. graduated cylinder). The data can then be used to solve for the wavelength
using this formula:
= 4[L+0.3d]
L = length of air column
d = diameter of air column

The wavelength, along with the frequency of the sound, which is written on the tuning
fork in the unit Hz (Hertz), can then be used to calculate for the velocity of the sound.

For the experimental speed of sound, an air column with a length and diameter of 14.6
cm and 4.655 cm, respectively, was used along with a 512 Hz tuning fork.
V = (4[L+0.3d]) (f)
V = (4[0.146m + 0.3 x 0.04655m]) (512Hz)
V = 328 m/s

The actual speed of sound in room temperature (23.1C), on the other hand, was
computed using the following equation:

V = 331 m/s + (0.6 m/sC) (T)
V = 331 m/s + (0.6 m/sC) (23.1C)
V = 344.9 m/s


Questions and Problems:

1. Through what fraction of the vibration has the prong of a tuning fork moved while sound
travelled down to the water surface inside the pipe?

It takes the sound wave of its wavelength to travel down a closed pipe system
then back up again, but only of its wavelength to reach the surface of the water. A
vibration is equal to a wave cycle; therefore, the prong needs of a vibration for the
sound to reach the water surface.

2. What is the approximate wavelength of the fundamental resonant frequency of a closed
tube 35.0 cm long if the tube has a diameter of 4.50 cm?

= 4[L+0.3d]
L = 35.0cm
d = 4.50cm
= 4[(35.0cm) + 0.3(4.50cm)] = 146cm

3. A tuning fork of frequency 384 Hz exhibits resonance with a closed tube 20.1 cm long
and 4.25 cm in diameter. What is the speed of the sound wave?

= 4[L+0.3d]
L = 20.1cm
d = 4.25cm
= 4[(20.1cm) + 0.3(4.25cm)] = 85.6cm
v = f
f = 384 Hz
v = (85.6cm)(384 Hz) = 32900cm/s or 329m/s