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P 4.5 Determining Speed of Sound

1. The document describes an experiment to investigate the speed of sound through standing waves in a closed tube. A tuning fork is used to generate sound waves that enter a PVC pipe submerged in water, creating a standing wave. 2. Resonance occurs when the pipe length allows the incoming and reflected waves to reinforce, forming antinodes of higher intensity sound. 3. The procedure involves adjusting the pipe length in the water until resonance is achieved, then recording the length. Calculations are made to determine the wavelength and speed of sound from resonance points.

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79 views3 pages

P 4.5 Determining Speed of Sound

1. The document describes an experiment to investigate the speed of sound through standing waves in a closed tube. A tuning fork is used to generate sound waves that enter a PVC pipe submerged in water, creating a standing wave. 2. Resonance occurs when the pipe length allows the incoming and reflected waves to reinforce, forming antinodes of higher intensity sound. 3. The procedure involves adjusting the pipe length in the water until resonance is achieved, then recording the length. Calculations are made to determine the wavelength and speed of sound from resonance points.

Uploaded by

iAlex11
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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COLEGIO INTERNACIONAL - SEK - EL CASTILLO

Departamento de Ciencias
PHYSICS SL/HL
MGL

Investigating the speed of sound through standing waves in a closed tube


Equipment list

1 PVC pipe
1 glass pipe
30cm ruler
Tuning forks

Theory

When the sound wave from a tuning fork is sent into a closed tube, a standing wave is created. The
standing wave comes about when the tuning forks wave overlaps the reflected wave from the
opposite end of the tube. At certain column lengths, the reflected wave is in phase with the wave
leaving the tuning fork and the two waves will reinforce each other. Certain points on the standing
wave create a buildup of the sound wave energy (antinodes). At these points, the energy is higher
creating higher intensity sound at that point.

Safety considerations

Using water can caused slipping on floor and then injury to yourself or to others who slip. Be sure
that you have materials to mop up any spills.
Using sound there are hazards associated to loud noises that could damage hearing. Prevent your
ears.
Procedure:
1. Full the glass tube with water (write down the level).
2. Submerge the PVC tube into the water.
3. Gently strike the tuning fork and hold it just above the PVC tube (horizontally).
4. Adjust the height of the PVC tube until a higher intensity sound is achieved (resonance is then
achieved).
5. Record the length between the water surface and the top of the tube.
COLEGIO INTERNACIONAL - SEK - EL CASTILLO
Departamento de Ciencias
PHYSICS SL/HL
MGL

Resonance is only achieved when the tube has a length that is:
COLEGIO INTERNACIONAL - SEK - EL CASTILLO
Departamento de Ciencias
PHYSICS SL/HL
MGL

QUESTIONS:

1.- Create a table with the length that will produce resonance. Calculate the wavelength of the
sound.

Uncertainty = ± 0. 05

4L
11 cm => λ=
n
343
1700= =¿ L=0.05
4L
2.- Calculate the average speed.

3.- Plot the wavelength versus frequency.

4.- Use your data to find the wavelength of a tuning fork with a frequency of 2048 Hz.

5.- If a standing wave has a wavelength of 2 cm, at what length would you find the first resonance
point?

6.- What determines the speed of any wave?

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