Experiment : SPEED OF SOUND

The speed of sound is the distance travelled per unit time by a sound wave as it propagates through
an elastic medium. In dry air at 20 °C (68 °F), the speed of sound is 343.2 metres per second.

In order to determine the speed of propagation of sound air, a vibration has to be set up in air, its
frequency and wavelength determined and the speed of propagation can be calculated using the
fundamental relation between the speed frequency of vibration or wave, and the wavelength,

𝑣 = 𝑓𝜆 (1.1)
Where:

v = speed of propagation

f = frequency, and

λ = wavelength

In the resonance tube a sound wave propagated down a cylindrical tube by a diaphragm vibrating at
one of the tube is reflected at the far end so that it travels back towards the diaphragm. There it is
reflected again. If this sound reflection produces a wave, which is in phase with the incident wave,
then a standing wave pattern is established and the tube is in resonance. Under these conditions the
intensity of sound in the tube is a maximum.

Under the conditions of resonance, the air column in the tube is an integral number of /4.

From figures 2 and 3 we have

𝜆
𝐿1 = (1.2)
4
3𝜆
𝐿2 = (1.3)
4
Where L1 and L2 are the first and second resonance positions respectively. From equations (2), (3)
and (1)
𝜆 𝑣
𝐿2 − 𝐿1 = = (1.4)
2 2𝑓
Thus,
𝑣
𝑓= (1.5)
4𝐿1

The velocity of sound in air is 331.4 m/s at 0 C. At higher temperatures, the velocity is slightly greater
than this and is given by

𝑣 = 331.4 + 0.6𝑇0 (1.6)

where v is the velocity of sound in m/s and T is the temperature in degrees Celsius.

For more information, check the prescribed textbook: Physics by Cutnell and Johnson 10th edition,
John Wiley and Sons.Inc

OR

visit: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/class/phscilab/restube2.html

And
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