Longitudinal Standing Waves: Measurement of the
Speed of the Sound of Air
Experiment 2
Dante Ilaya
Department of Biology Lawrence Luna
Ateneo de Manila University Department of Biology
Quezon City, Philippines Ateneo de Manila University
dante.ilaya@obf.ateneo.edu Quezon City, Philippines
lawrence.luna@obf.ateneo.edu
Paulo Trinidad
Department of Biology
Ateneo de Manila University
Quezon City, Philippines
paulo.trinidad@obf.ateneo.edu
Abstract—The objective of this experiment is to be
able to measure the speed of sound in air using the
general speed-wave equation. The general set-up of a
resonance tube, voltmeter, function generator, and a low
frequency amplifier was used in order to measure both
the frequency and the wavelength. The results that were
produced are fairly accurate and precise with only a
small amount of errorsThe determination of the
wavelength is calculated by twice the distance between
two adjacent antinodes.
Keywords—speed-wave equation, theoretical speed of
sound, experimental speed of sound, frequency,
wavelength
I. INTRODUCTION
In this experiment, the concept of standing waves was
applied on a resonance pipe that can produce a similar
harmonic series as that on a stretched string [1]. Using the
speed-wave equation, one can be able to compute the
experimental speed of sound through the concept of
longitudinal waves. The frequency needed is produced
through the amplifier which is adjusted at different levels
that are equal to or above 800 Hz. There is a production of
alternating compression and rarefactions as longitudinal
waves travel from the source [2]. The areas that are
compressed can be labelled as antinodes while those that
have no change in air pressure are the nodes. The resonance
pipe that is used in the general set-up has an open and a
closed end. When the wave is reflected back by the closed-
end of the tube, it induces a 180° shift. This will produce an
interference that would result into a standing wave that has
the same frequency, but a larger amplitude [2]. A
fundamental standing wave consists of only a displacement
node at the open end of the pipe and a displacement
antinode at its closed end [3]. As such, only one-fourth of
the wavelength will fit into the pipe in its fundamental [1].
Extending the stopper at the right length would induce a
harmonic series of standing waves, thereby producing a
high-pitched sound. In the said extension, an additional node
is introduced while still retaining the same arrangement of a
node at the open-end and an antinode at the closed-end [1].
Following that pattern, wavelength is measured to be twice
the distance between two adjacent antinodes [2]. Having
Aaliyah Monasterial
Department of Biology
Ateneo de Manila University
Quezon City, Philippines
aaliyah.monasterial@obf.ateneo.edu
Kyle Ty
Department of Biology
Ateneo de Manila University
Quezon City, Philippines
kyle.ty@obf.ateneo.edu
both the wavelength and frequency will lead to the
determination of the experimental speed of sound. This is to
be compared to the theoretical speed of sound in the air, and
this is affected by a variety of factors such as temperature
and the mass of the molecules that make up the gas [4].
There are a number of applications that longitudinal
standing waves have on the biological field. One of which is
how our speech is determined [5]. It is through the shape of
the cavity that is formed by our throat and mouth along with
the positioning of our tongue that we are able to adjust the
fundamental and combination of overtones to produce
sound. In addition, puberty in males expand the larynx
which consequently widens the shape of the resonant cavity.
This explains the difference in the frequencies between the
speech of men and women [5]. Another is the phenomena of
using destructive interferences to cancel out noises [5].
Primarily, this was used to protect the hearing of Voyager
aircraft pilots from engine noises, but lately there have been
further advances as to how it affects the well-being of a
person. Research studies also claim of a causation between
long-term noise exposure and difficulties in sleeping and
concentration [6]. Long-term noise exposure can even lead
to an increased risk of a heart attack and stroke. This
resulted to the breakthrough of noise-cancellation
headphones and in-ear headphones [6].
The aim of this experiment is to be able to determine the
speed of the sound waves by applying the concepts of a
longitudinal standing wave. With the general setup of a half-
open resonance tube, voltmeter, function generator, and a
low frequency amplifier, the values needed to derive the
speed of sound is determined through a given frequency that
is chosen by the experimenters, and the wavelength that is
computed through the concept that it is twice the distance
between two adjacent antinodes.
II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Fundamental Equations
The experimental velocity of the sound wave V in the air is
equal to its wavelength λ multiplied to its frequency f.
V E =λf
The theoretical velocity of air VT is given by the
following formula, where γ is a constant for diatomic To obtain the wavelength, we measured L and multiplied
molecules, R is an ideal gas constant 8.314 J/ Mol K, T is that value by 4, assuming that the same distance applies
from pressure node to pressure node throughout the
temperature in kelvin, and M is molar mass of air 28.8 x 10 -3
resonance tube.
Kg/ mol K.
To determine whether the speed of sound is constant to
multiple frequencies, we used four frequencies: 800 Hz,
V T =√ ❑
1000 Hz, 1500 Hz, and 2000 Hz, with three trials each. The
average wavelengths and velocities were derived for each
The precision of the experiment is determined by frequency. The theoretical values were then compared to the
dividing the standard deviation of the experimental velocity experimental values, and the percentage error values were
VE to the mean experimental velocity V E , multiplied to computed.
a hundred.. An amplifier was not used for this experiment since the
sound generated was loud enough to be observed.
σV E
ε= × 100
VE
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The accuracy of the experiment is determined by finding A. Theoretical Values
the difference of the mean experimental value and the Using Eq. X, we substituted the respective values to
theoretical value, divided by the theoretical value, multiplied obtain the theoretical velocity of sound in gas.
to a hundred. For this experiment V E is the average
velocity, and V T is the theoretical velocity. Accuracy is υ=√ ❑ (x)
determined by finding the percentage error with the Where:
following equation: γ = 1.4
R = 8.314 J/mol•K
T = 23oC + 273 = 296 K
¿ V E −V T ∨ ¿ ×100 M = 28.8x10-3 kg/mol•K
VT
ε =¿ υ=√ ❑ = 345.9 m/s (x.x)

With 345.9 m/s as the sound velocity, the theoretical

III. METHODOLOGY
wavelength values were obtained per frequency using Eq. X.
A. Materials
● Meter stick υ
=λ
● Resonance tube with speaker ƒ
● Microphone (x.x)
● Function generator
B. Procedure 345.9 m/s 345.9 m/s
= 0.437 m = 0.350 m
800 1/ s 1000 1/ s
Function 345.9 m/s 345.9 m/s
Resonanc = 0.233 m =
generator 1500 1/ s 2000 1/ s
L e tube 0.175 m
1.0
00
KH (m
z
)
Micropho
ne
Speaker

Fig. 1. A diagram of the resonance tube set-up. The function

generator is connected to the speaker in the resonance tube. TABLE I. THEORETICAL VALUES FOR THE WAVELENGTH PER
Vibrations from the diaphragm of the speaker depends on the FREQUENCY USED
frequency presented on the function generator’s display, creating ❑
longitudinal waves along the length of the resonance tube. Frequency (Hz) λ (m)
800 0.437

For this experiment, the movable microphone was 1000 0.350

adjusted to the point where the sound generated is loudest. 1500 0.233
We measured the distance (L) from the speaker to that point 2000 0.175
where the microphone resides using a standard meter stick.
 Table 1 shows that as the frequency increases, the VE ( VT ( ε ( ε
'
wavelength decreases. Hz σ❑
m/s) m/s) %) (%)
B. Experimental Values 345.9 3.77 16.4
800 289.1 m/s 10.9
m/s % %
TABLE II. EXPERIMENTAL VALUES FOR 800 HZ 345.9 27.2
1000 440 m/s 6.53 1.48%
m/s %
n k Lk (m) λ ❑
(m) νE 345.9 1.19
1500 350 m/s 19.8 5.66%
1 1 0.095 m 0.38 m 304 m/s m/s %
345.9 2.86
2 3 0.087 m 0.348 m 278.4 m/s 2000 336 m/s 6.53 1.94%
m/s %
3 5 0.089 m 0.356 m 284.8 m/s
Lk =¿ λ=¿ 0. With a lower frequency it is harder to measure
V E =¿ identify the highest amplitude of the wave or the loudest
0.090 m 429 m
289.1 m/s sound made by the speaker because the wavelength is longer
than in higher frequency. This would mean the amplitude
will be stretched and the highest point of the wave will be
harder to find. Without and computer, using just our hearing
TABLE III. EXPERIMENTAL VALUES FOR 1000 HZ
to identify the loudest sound is similar to the amplitude
n k Lk (m) λ❑ (m) νE stretching, meaning the loudest sound will be harder to be
identified because the sounds before it will sound similarly
1 1 0.11 m 0.440 m 440 m/s
loud.
2 3 0.108 m 0.432 m 432 m/s
3 5 0.112 m 0.448 m 448 m/s INSERT TABLE DESCRIPTION (NOTE: ε (%) is
Lk =¿ λ=¿ precision while ε ' (%) is accuracy)
V E =¿
0.11 m 0.440 m
440 m/s
Guide questions:
1. Notice the movable microphone within the tube.
Slide the microphone along the length of the tube.
TABLE IV. EXPERIMENTAL VALUES FOR 1500 HZ
What do you observe? How does the reading in
n k Lk (m) λ❑ (m) νE the voltmeter vary with the position of the
microphone? Explain. (Dante)
1 1 0.054 m 0.216 m 324 m/s
2. What factors affect the speed of sound? (Dante)
2 3 0.062 m 0.248 m 372 m/s 3. Refer to the resonance tube set-up. How will the
3 5 0.059 m 0.236 m 354 m/s intensity of sound compare when the movable
microphone is at a pressure node to when it as at a
Lk =¿ λ=¿ 0. V E =¿ pressure antinode. Will sound be louder at a
0.058 m 233 m pressure node or at a pressure antinode? Explain.
350 m/s
Use diagrams. (luigi and aaliyah)

INSERT TABLE DESCRIPTION

Pr Press
ure R
es T
su node
re
TABLE V. EXPERIMENTAL VALUES FOR 2000 HZ
S M
n k Lk (m) λ❑ (m) νE M
Fig. 2. Standing sound L ot The diagram shows the first
1 1 0.042 m 0.168 m 336 m/s waves.
2 3 0.041 m 0.164 m 328 m/s harmonic (fundamental) where the red dotted wave shows the
3 5 0.043 m 0.172 m 344 m/s
pressure variation in the airioand the solid blue line shows the
displacement (motion) of air. The point where the microphone (M)
Lk =¿ λ=¿ V E =¿ n This is where the pressure node is
is where the sound is the loudest.
located.
0.042 m 0.168 m
336 m/s

TABLE VI. ACCURACY AND PRECISION

Fig. 3. Pressure distribution.

4. Supposed you use another gas, such as carbon

dioxide or helium. For heavier - than - air gases,
e.g. CO2, do you expect the speed of sound to
increase, decrease, or remain unchanged? Why?
(Dante)

C. Accuracy and Precision - PAU

Given the data that was given in Table VI. the
precision of the data is moderately high since a lower
percentage or coefficient of variation would result to a lower
dispersion around the mean.
V. CONCLUSION - LUIGI

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