Answer to Question #164371 in Optics for Haggy

Question

Describe an experiment to determine the speed of sound in free air from measurements of frequency and wavelength using progressive wave. Your account should include a diagram, procedure, precautions, observations and conclusions.

Answer 1

Theory: Sound is a longitudinal wave it require medium to propagate.The speed of the sound depends on the properties of the medium. $v=f\lambda$

Procedure:

1. connect the output to the speaker. Change the oscillator settings and observe the relation between the frequency and pitch of the sound. Vary the oscillator to get desired values of the period.
2. With the help of the frequency set 600Hz, need to find the piston position for which the tube resonates. At this air column length, the reflected wave from the piston is in phase with incoming signal from the speaker.

Conclusion:

• A sketch of the standing wave in the resonance tube.
• The computation of the accepted value for the speed of the sound and its comparison with your experimental values.