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    Tuning Fork Lab

    Uploaded by

    Aidan Chun
    This lab experiment aims to determine the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and the speed of sound in air. Students use different tuning forks and measure the length of a PVC tube needed to be above water to produce resonance. From this, they calculate wavelength and wave speed. Analysis shows wave speed does not change with frequency, and wavelength and frequency are inversely related. The measured wave speed of sound is close to the published value of 343 m/s. Factors like altitude and humidity can impact the speed of sound.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Tuning Fork Lab

    Uploaded by

    Aidan Chun
    184 views3 pages
    This lab experiment aims to determine the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and the speed of sound in air. Students use different tuning forks and measure the length of a PVC tube needed to be above water to produce resonance. From this, they calculate wavelength and wave speed. Analysis shows wave speed does not change with frequency, and wavelength and frequency are inversely related. The measured wave speed of sound is close to the published value of 343 m/s. Factors like altitude and humidity can impact the speed of sound.

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    This lab experiment aims to determine the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and the speed of sound in air. Students use different tuning forks and measure the length of a PVC tube needed to be above water to produce resonance. From this, they calculate wavelength and wave speed. Analysis shows wave speed does not change with frequency, and wavelength and frequency are inversely related. The measured wave speed of sound is close to the published value of 343 m/s. Factors like altitude and humidity can impact the speed of sound.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    184 views3 pages

    Tuning Fork Lab

    Uploaded by

    Aidan Chun
    This lab experiment aims to determine the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and the speed of sound in air. Students use different tuning forks and measure the length of a PVC tube needed to be above water to produce resonance. From this, they calculate wavelength and wave speed. Analysis shows wave speed does not change with frequency, and wavelength and frequency are inversely related. The measured wave speed of sound is close to the published value of 343 m/s. Factors like altitude and humidity can impact the speed of sound.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    Tuning Fork Lab: Frequency vs.

    Wavelength , and the speed of


    !
    sound in the air

    Purpose: To determine the relationship between frequency(f), wavelength(! λ ), and the speed of sound
    in the air(v).

    Procedure:

    1. Fill a cup almost to the top with water.

    2. Gently place a PVC tube in the water.

    3. Record the frequency of the tuning fork in the data table.

    4. Strike the tuning fork and hold it above the PVC tube.

    5. Lift and move the tube and tuning fork together until you hear a “loud” sound.

    6. When you hear the loud sound, measure the length of the PVC tube that is out of the water.

    (Measure from the top of the water to the top of the PVC tube.)

    7. Record the length in the data table.

    8. Work together with your lab partners in WebEx to use tuning fork of a different frequencies and
    repeat steps 3-7. Repeat this for a total of 4 different tuning forks.
    Data:

    Frequency(1/s = Hz) Length of tube out of water


    when resonance sound is
    heard(meters)
    1 341.3 Hz (F) 0.24 m

    2 288 Hz (D) 0.28 m

    3 480 Hz (B) 0.18 m

    4 426.7 Hz (A) 0.2 m

    Data Analysis:

    1. Calculate the wavelength (! λ )of each sound wave by multiplying the length of the tube above
    the water by 4. Record this value in the data table below.

    2. Calculate the wave speed by multiplying the wavelength by the frequency of the tuning fork.
    €
    Wavelength = 4 L Wave speed = ! λ f

    1 0.96 λ 327.684 Hz

    €
    2 1.12 λ 322.56 Hz

    3 0.72 λ 345.6 Hz

    4 0.8 λ 341.36 Hz
    Analysis Questions:

    1. As the frequency changes, does the wave speed change? Explain.

    2. What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency? How do you know?

    3. What is the “published” value for the speed of sound in the air in terms of m/s at room temperature at
    sea level? Look up this value online.

    4. How does your wave speed of sound in air compare to the published value? What is the %Error?
    Show your work.

    5. List two variables that would change the speed of sound in the air.

    Altitude, humidity

    Applying your knowledge to a new situation:

    What would be the wavelength of a 256 Hz (middle C) and 512 Hz (next octave higher C) tuning forks?
    Show your work and explain your answer.

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