The objective of this laboratory was to measure the speed at which sound was traveling through the air, using the resonance of longitudinal waves.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Experiment 13: Determining the Speed of Sound

Samir Shuman

April 29, 2011

Physics 111-C21

Objective:

The objective of this laboratory was to measure the speed at which sound was traveling through the

air, using the resonance of longitudinal waves.

Equipment used:

1- Tall glass of water

1- PVC pipe, 10 in

1- Tape measure, 3 m

1- Mercury thermometer

1- Tuning fork, 384 Hz

1- Marker pencil

1- Block of wood

Data:

Data Table 1

Tuning fork frequency (Hz)

Length, L

Water level to top of tube (m)

d= diameter of tube (m)

?= 4(L + 0.3d)

(m)

Experimental

v=f?

(m/s)

Room Temperature (°C)

384

0.218

0.020

0.896

344.064

24

Calculations:

In order to find the value of ? (the wavelength), I used the following equation:

?= 4(L + 0.3d)

I then plugged the values from Data Table 1 in to find the sound wavelength.

?= 4 (0.218 m + 0.3 * 0.020 m)

?= 4(0.218 m +