artichokee Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 In Physics today, we had a lab that was to have us calculate the speed of sound. Unfortunately, I am unable to figure it out. The lab was done with a tuning fork labeled at a certain frequency (512 Hz) and is to vibrate the waves inside a tube withing a graduated cylinder with water in it. I measured the distance above the water to the top of the tube. I have no idea how to calculate the speed of sound. Nominally, the speed of sound is 340.29 m/s, but it varies on the sourroundings. Any help is appreciated, thanks. Distance from water level to top of tube: 9.5cm Frequency of the tuning fork: 512 Hz Velocity of Sound = Frequency X Wavelength Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john smith 1924 Veteran Posted March 30, 2004 Veteran Share Posted March 30, 2004 What level is this? Uni / GCSE / A - level? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrA Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Since you have a closed ended air tube, resonance occurs at wavelength/4, (3)(wavelength)/4, (5)(wavelength)/4, etc Presuming you measured the length of the tube for the first resonance: length of tube = wavelength/4 therefore: wavelength = 4 * length of tube velocity = frequency * (4 * length of tube) = 194.56 m/s WTF? This isn't right. This would mean a temperature of -178.7 C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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