Physics Labs
Determining the Speed of Sound
Determining the Speed of Sound
Name
Abstract;
Include instead of these lines the objectives of the lab (what you investigated), the short description of how you did it and the conclusions formulated based on the obtained results.
It should be ½ to 1 page long.
Picture of the experimental set up
Observations
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Data Table 1: Calculation of sound wavelength |
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Tuning fork frequency (f), Hz (printed on the fork) |
Length, L (water level to top of tube) |
Diameter of tube, d |
λ = 4(L + 0.3d) |
Experimental v = f λ |
Room Temperature, oC |
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Calculations
A. Calculate the theoretical speed of sound (v):
v = 331.4 + 0.6TC ( m/s)
• 331.4 m/s is the speed of sound at 20oC
• TC is the temperature of air during testing measured in Celsius
B. Calculate the percent error of your experimentally derived value:
C. Is sound a longitudinal or transverse wave?
D. What is the physical concept behind the “pitch” of a sound and what is the SI unit for it?
E. What is the physical concept behind “intensity” of a sound and what is the SI unit for it?
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