Experiment 7: Velocity of Sound

Monica Policina, Marie Pamela Celestine Pua Phee,

Maria Charmella Relopez, Anna Paula San Pedro

Department of Biological Sciences

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

Abstract sinusoidal wave is defined as the spatial

period of a wave that is the distance over
The velocity of sound is a property of
which the shape of the wave repeats. It is
the medium through which the sound travels
measured by knowing the distance between
and this can be identified if the wavelength
the corresponding consecutive points of the
and frequency are known. For this activity,
same phase, such as crests (maxima) and
the velocity of sound was determined via two
troughs (minima). Wavelength is designated
processes. The first was to find the
with the Greek letter ʎ. In contrary, frequency
wavelength with the use of a resonance tube
is the rate that an event is repeating per unit
and a tuning fork with a known frequency.
time. The speed of sound is the distance
The recorded data produced a speed of 316.4
travelled per unit of time by a sound wave
m/s with 7.59% error. The second activity
propagating in an elastic medium [1]. The
was accomplished by using a computer
objectives of this experiment are: to
software with a Vernier microphone, which
demonstrate the relationship between
produced a speed of 340.9 m/s with 0.44%
frequency and wavelength of a sound wave;
error.
to determine the speed of sound traveling in a
Introduction resonating column and; to determine the

Sound is a mechanical, longitudinal velocity of sound traveling in a solid medium

wave created by vibrating objects from a state using a vibrating rod.

of equilibrium that propagates through a Theory

medium, may it be solid, liquid or gas, from
The velocity of the sound travelling in
one location (source) to another (observer).
any medium can be determined using the
On the other hand, the wavelength of a
relationship between frequency and accurate value if only one resonance can be
wavelength using the formula; measured, using the formula,

𝑉 = 𝑓λ λ = 4L + 0.3D.

Where, The speed of sound is actually the

speed of transmission of a small disturbance
v = velocity of sound
through a medium. It depends on two main
f = frequency factors: the type of medium and the

λ = wavelength temperature of the medium [2]. Sound travels

the fastest through solids, then through
Resonance of an air column was used
liquids, and the slowest through gases. Since
to determine the wavelength of the sound.
temperature, measured in heat, is a form of
In the experiment, a long cylindrical kinetic energy, at higher temperatures sound
plastic tube attached to a water reservoir was travels faster while at lower temperatures the
used. The water lever is raised and lowered to sound waves vibrate slower [3].
change the length of the water column while
Methodology
the tuning fork is held on the top of the open
end of the tube. Resonance can be observed Activity 1: Resonating Air Column

from the sudden increase of the intensity of For the first activity, it started with the
the sound when the water column is reached water near the top of the resonance tube
the proper length. The resonance is a standing apparatus. A tuning fork was struck with a
wave phenomenon in the air column and rubber mallet and the vibrating tuning fork
occurs when the column length is: was placed over the top of the glass tube. The

λ/4, 3λ/4, 5λ /4 water vessel was lowered slowly until the

loudest sound was heard, and the point where
Since the air in the tube is not free to
the sound was heard was marked. The
move longitudinally, the water surface has a
distance between this point and the top of the
node of the standing wave. And the open end
glass tube was measured and was recorded as
give rise to an antinode, however the actual
L. The diameter (D) of the resonance tube
antinode occurs outside the tube that has a
was also measured. Then, the wavelength of
distance of 0.3D, where D is the diameter of
the sound produced was calculated. Two
the tube. This can be used to get a more
more trials were conducted and the average Results and Discussion
wavelengths for each of the two different
Activity 1: Resonating Air Column
tuning forks were determined. The
temperature of the air inside the glass tube Table 1: Data on Resonating Air Column

was also recorded. Finally, the speed of Temperature of air = 19 ℃

sound in air at that temperature was Diameter of Resonance Tube= 0.037 m
computed, as well as the percent errors.
Frequency
Average Experimental Theoretical %
Activity 2: Speed of Sound (Physics with of Tuning
Wavelength Speed Speed error
Computers) Fork

512 Hz 0.618m 316.42m/s 342.4 m/s 7.59%

For this activity, a computer with
In the experiment, the sound velocity
VernierPro software, Vernier microphone,
in air is determined by using a tuning fork of
and closed tube were used. The vernier
known frequency. Subsequently, the
microphone was connected to the Channel 1
resonance of the air column will be used to
of the interface, and was positioned near the
know the wavelength of the sound.
open end of the closed tube. In the “Physics
Resonance is indicated by the increase in the
with Computers” file, the “24 Speed of
intensity of the sound when the proper length
Sound” file was opened. As soon as the data
of the column is attained [4]. When the rubber
collection began, a member’s finger was
hammer struck the tuning fork of known
snapped or a member clapped her hand near
frequency, which is 512 Hz, it generates
the tube. From the graph generated by the
vibrations and sound waves. Upon reaching
software, the time interval between the start
the surface of the water, these waves are
of the first vibration and the start of the echo
reflected and form standing waves. Standing
vibration was determined. The time interval
waves have a node, which are waves that
was then noted as the time for the sound to
cancel out at the closed end of the tube, and
travel through the tube and back. The speed
an antinode, which are waves that add up to
of sound was then determined by dividing the
produce bigger wave at the open end. We
length of the tube by half the time interval
must also consider the length of the tube
obtained. Percent error was computed using
because the air column in the tube of a certain
the same theoretical value in the previous
length has a particular resonance frequencies,
activity.
considering that only a certain number of
wavelengths can be fitted into the tube length.
When an antinode is at the open end of the
The experimental speed of sound
tube, a louder resonance is heard. By
generated by clapping was done by dividing
lowering the water level, the tube length for
the length of the tube by half of the time
the antinodes to be open at the open end of
interval average, shown in the equation
the tube can be determined [5]. Based from
the results, the average wavelength is 0.45 𝑚
𝑉=
(1.32 × 10−3 𝑠)
0.618m. The experimental speed of the sound 2
is 316.42m/s, when compared to the
theoretical speed, yield an error of 7.59%.
Sources of error may be from inaccurate 𝑉 = 340.9 𝑚/𝑠

measurements in distances and diameter When compared to the theoretical

involved. speed of sound in air of the laboratory, the %

Activity 2: Speed of Sound (Physics with error is

Computers) |342.4 − 340.9|

% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100
342.4
The speed of sound produced by
clapping hands or snapping fingers at the end % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 0.44%
of the tube was determined in this activity. The experiment showed the near
The data computed are shown in the table: accuracy of the speed of sound in the glass
Table 2. Data on Speed of Sound (Physics tube and the speed of sound in air of the
with Computers) laboratory is due to the similarity in the type
of medium. In the activity, the tube is covered
Length of Tube: 0.45 m
at one end so that the sound travels to and
Trial Total Travel Time from the end producing an echo vibration.
−3
1 1.37 × 10 s The slight error produced may have been
2 1.26 × 10−3 s caused by inaccurate measurement of the
Average 1.32 × 10−3 s actual total travel time.
Experimental Speed 340.9 m/s
Theoretical Speed 342.4 m/s
% Error 0.44 %
Conclusion Indicating that they have an inverse
relationship, thus increasing the wavelength
In this experiment, the group has
decreases the frequency and vice versa.
verified that there is an indirect relationship
existing between the frequency and 2. What is the use of water in the activity 1?
wavelength of sound, because as the
The water in the cylinder was used to
frequency increases, the wavelength becomes
maintain a column of air of the desired length
shorter. Also, the speed of the wave can be
that can be altered by adjusting the position
calculated by multiplying the frequency of a
of the water reservoir. It is also used to
wave by its wavelength. The speed of sound
determine where the sound waves were
was determined with the use of a resonating
produced.
column, gathering a speed of 340.9 m/s with
0.44% error. 3. In medical practice, ultrasound in the
range of 1 to 5 megahertz is being used as an
Applications
imaging modality. The associated
1. What is the relation between frequency and wavelengths in a typical human tissue range
wavelength of sound produced in a medium? from 0.3 mm to 0.06 mm. Find the velocity of
ultrasound in the tissue.
We can determine the relationship of
frequency and wavelength using the formula To find the velocity of the ultrasound,
for the velocity of sound:
Frequency (𝑓) = 5 MHz or 5,000,000 Hz
𝑉 = 𝑓𝜆
Wavelength (𝜆) = 0.06 mm or 0.00006 m
Where 𝑓 is the frequency and 𝜆 is the
𝑉 = 𝑓𝜆
wavelength. So, when the equation is
organized in a way such that 𝑉 = (5,000,000 𝐻𝑧) 0.006
= 300 𝑚/𝑠
𝜆
𝑓=
𝑉 Thus, the velocity of ultrasound in

And this tissue is equal to 300 m/s.

𝑉 4. The outer ear of a human may be thought

𝜆=
𝑓 of as a closed pipe 2.7 cm long on the
average. What frequency would be most at a given frequency, it will also increase the
effectively detected by the ear at 30°C? wavelength.

𝑉 = 331 + 0.6𝑡 6. If you were lying on the ground, would you

hear footsteps sooner or later with your ear
= 348.7 𝑚/𝑠
touching the ground?
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 2.7 𝑐𝑚 𝑜𝑟 0.027 𝑐𝑚
The footsteps can be heard sooner if I
𝑣 348.7
𝑓= = = 3228.7 𝐻𝑧 was lying on the ground and my ear is
𝜆 4(0.027)
touching the ground because compared to
liquids or gases, the molecules of a solid
Thus, the frequency at 30°C is 3228.7 𝐻𝑧.
(ground) are very close to each other, thus
5. Suppose that we increase the temperature making sound waves travel fastest in solid.
if the air through which a sound wave is Aside from that, I can hear the footsteps
traveling. sooner due to the fact that my ear is in direct
contact with the medium (ground) where the
a. What effect does this have on the
sound is being produced.
velocity of the wave? Explain
References
If the temperature is increased through
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causes the molecules in the air to have more Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
energy, and thus, they tend to vibrate faster.
[2] Speed of Sound. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17,
Because of this, the sound waves travel
2017, from
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https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/K-
b. For a given frequency, what effect 12/airplane/sound.html
does increasing the temperature have
[3] Cutnell, J. D., Johnson, K. W., Young, D.,
on the wavelength of the sound wave?
& Stadler, S. (2015). Introduction to
Explain.
Physics: Wiley Custom Edition 10th
Increasing the temperature will ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
increase the wavelength. Based from the
formula, 𝑣 = 𝑓𝜆, if we increase temperature,
[4] Resonance Tube: Velocity of Sound.
(n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2017, from
http://hyperphysics.phy-
astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Class/PhSciLab/re
stube2.html

[5] Air Column Resonance: The Speed of

Sound in Air. (n.d.). Retrieved from
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