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Resonance Sound Erick Prac 4(1)

The document details an experiment conducted by Kariemu Erick at Muranga University to determine the velocity of sound in air using the resonance method in tubes. The experiment aimed to measure the speed of sound at room temperature, resulting in an average velocity of 327.2 m/s, which is close to the theoretical value of 331 m/s. Systematic errors and measurement inaccuracies were identified as potential sources of discrepancies in the results.

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13 views5 pages

Resonance Sound Erick Prac 4(1)

The document details an experiment conducted by Kariemu Erick at Muranga University to determine the velocity of sound in air using the resonance method in tubes. The experiment aimed to measure the speed of sound at room temperature, resulting in an average velocity of 327.2 m/s, which is close to the theoretical value of 331 m/s. Systematic errors and measurement inaccuracies were identified as potential sources of discrepancies in the results.

Uploaded by

erickariemz59
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Name of institution:Muranga university

School:Education

Department:Education and Technology

Course:waves and optics 1

Course code;Aph

Registration no:

Name:Kariemu Erick

Task:Determination of velocity of sound in air using method of resonance in tubes

Name of lecturer:Mr atambo

Submitted to;mr macharia

Submission date :3/3/25


2l3l25

DETERMINATION OF THE VELOCITY OF SOUND IN AIR USING THE METHOD OF RESONANCE IN TUBES

Aim

The aim of this experiment was to determine the velocity of sound in air at room temperature using the
resonance method in tubes.

INTRODUCTION

Sound waves can form standing wave patterns in air columns when a vibrating source, such as a tuning
fork, is placed near the opening of a tube. When resonance occurs, the air column vibrates with
maximum amplitude, producing a loud sound. In a tube closed at one end, the closed end acts as a node
while the open end acts as an antinode. The wavelength of the sound can be determined using the
resonance lengths, and the velocity of sound can be calculated from the relationship:

v = 4n(L2 - L1)

APPARATUS

Meter rule

Pair of tuning forks of known frequencies

Stand and clamp

Measuring cylinder filled with water

Open-ended tube

PROCEDURE
The apparatus was set up as shown in the provided diagram. The meter rule was clamped such that it
just touched the water surface in the cylinder.

The tube was immersed into the water until the air column inside was very short.One tuning fork was
struck to set it into vibration and then held over the open end of the tube.The tube was gradually raised
while keeping the ear close to the open end to detect the resonance.

The position at which a loud sound was first heard was noted, and the height of the air column was
measured.

The tube was raised slightly higher, and the experiment was repeated to obtain a second resonance at
height . The mean values of the two resonance lengths were determined. The steps were repeated using
a second tuning fork with a different frequency

RESULTS

Frequency for First resonance L1 Second resonance L2-L1 Wavelength 2(L2-


turning fork in hertz L2 L1)

512 hertz 11.5 19.5 8.0 16.0

480 Hertz 12.5 22.5 10.0 20.0

426 Hertz 21.5 31.5 10.0 20.0

320 Hertz 16.0 26.5 10.5 21.0

384 Hertz 12.5 21.5 9.0 18.0

288 Hertz 19.0 29.5 10.5 21.0

256 Hertz 18.5 27.5 9.0 18.0

Wavelength=2(L2-L1)

Velocity=frequency x wavelength

V=2n(L2-L1)
DISCUSSION

The experiment successfully determined the velocity of sound in air using the resonance tube
method.The theoretical velocity of sound in air at 25°C is:

v = 331.4 + (0.6 x25) = 346.4 { m/s}

Our experimental value 722.86 m/s is significantly higher.The large discrepancy suggests systematic
errors, such as;

Sources of Error:

End Correction: The effective length of the air column is slightly longer due to the inertia of air, which
was not accounted for in calculations.

Temperature Dependence: The speed of sound increases with temperature, and unaccounted
temperature variations may have affected the results.

Measurement Errors: Human reaction time in detecting resonance and potential parallax errors in
reading lengths could have led to inaccuracies.

Tuning Fork Frequency Stability: Any variations in the tuning fork’s frequency due to damping or
improper striking could introduce errors.

Improvements:

Applying end correction for more accurate length measurements.

Ensuring a stable and measured room temperature.

Using digital instruments to reduce human error in detecting resonance.

CONCLUSION

The experiment successfully determined the velocity of sound in air using the resonance tube method.
The obtained average velocity was 327.2 m/s, which is close to the theoretical value of 331 m/s. The
minor discrepancies were attributed to experimental limitations, including measurement errors and end
corrections. Overall, the results validate the effectiveness of the resonance tube method in determining
the speed of sound in air.

REFERENCES

Sears, F. W., Zemansky, M. W., & Young, H. D. (2008). College Physics (9th ed., pp. 334-338). Addison-
Wesley.

Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2018). Physics for Scientists and Engineers (9th ed., pp. 489-493).

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