Experiment No.

1
Speed of Sound and Air

Group Number: 4
6/22/16

Date of Experiment:

Year and Section: BS Microbiology-3B

Member(s) absent: None
Member(s) present:Bayona, Lobaton, Delos Reyes, Baga-an, Bosque

I.
II.
III.
IV.

Objectives of the Experiment

Schematic Diagram
Tabulated Results, Graphs,
Sample Computations
Answers to Questions
TOTAL

5%
5%
50%
40%
100%

Tabulated Results
Room Temperature: 29C
Frequency of Tuning Fork (Hz)

280 Hz

First Resonance Length L1 (cm)

Second Resonance Length L2 (cm)

30 cm
91 cm

Difference in Length L3 (cm)

61 cm

Wavelength= 2L3 (cm)

Velocity of Sound in Air VS= f
(cm/s)
Theoretical Value of VS (cm/s)
Percentage Error %

122 cm
34 160 cm/s
34 840 cm/s
1.95%

Sample Computations:
Difference in Length: 91 cm 30 cm = 61 cm
Wavelength: 2(61 cm) = 122 cm
Velocity of Sound in Air: (122 cm)(280 Hz) = 34 160 cm/s
Theoretical Value of VS: 9C (0.6 m) +343 = 348.4 m/s or 34 840 cm/s

cm
34 160
s
cm
34 840
s

34 840
Percentage Error:

x 100 = 1.95 %

CYRAH JEE G. DELOS REYESBS MICROBIOLOGY 3-B GROUP 4

Questions and Problems:

1. In what ways would the experimental data be altered if the resonance
tube experiment were carried out at a lower temperature? Explain.

The experimental data could be altered by making two

resonance lengths shorter so their differencewould also be
shorter. Because of the direct relationship between temperature
and velocity, if one is decreased, the other decreases as well. If
the temperature were to decrease, the velocity would have
decreased and so would the wavelength.

2. Define the method of using the resonance tube to determine the

frequency of an unknown tuning fork if a fork of known frequency is
available.

In this experiment, the velocity of sound in air was found by

using tuning forks of known frequency and the wavelength of
the sound was determined by making use of the resonance of an
air column. In using the resonance tube, sound a tuning fork
over the open end of the tube. Then adjust the water level until
the tube resonates at the same frequency. As the water level
changes in the tube, a standing wave produces an antinode at
the top of the tube that causes resonance. The speed of sound
can then be calculated using the water level and the frequency.
Measurement markings on the tube provide accurate results in
calculating the 1/4 wavelength produced in a closed cylinder.
Frequency of an unknown tuning fork can then be determined
by using the speed of sound in air and the height of water in the
tube.

3. Explain the similarity of the resonance tube to a closed organ pipe.

Both are standing sound waves which occur in any wave

medium that is enclosed, including the air. For standing sound
waves, the waves themselves are longitudinal, corresponding to
regions of compression and rarefaction of the air. The air
pressure oscillation at the closed end has its greatest amplitude.
In other words, there is an antinode in the standing sound wave
pattern at the closed end of the pipe and resonance tube.

4. The observed delay between a lightning flash and thunder is 10 sec.

How far is the lightning? (Assume T = 0C)

Given:

m/s

Time= 10 s
VS @ 0C = 331.4
Distance=?

Solution:

Distance = (Time)(Velocity of
Sound)

= (10 s)(331.4 m/s)

= 3,314 m

LESLIE MAE C. BAYONA BS MICROBIOLOGY 3-B GROUP 4

Guide Questions:

1. In what ways would the experimental data be altered if the resonance

tube experiment were carried out at a lower temperature? Explain.

The sound speed will be altered since the sound speed varies
with temperature at 0C the speed in air is 331.4 m/sec while at
20C it is 334 m/sec. The speed is very nearly linearly
dependent on temperature.

2. Describe the method of using the resonance tube to determine the

frequency of an unknown tuning fork if a fork of known frequency is
available.

3. Explain the similarity of the resonance tube to a closed organ pipe.

The similarity of resonance tube and closed organ pipe is their

ends. They both have the same end structure; one end open for
the source of sound while the other end is closed.

4. The observed delay between a lightning flash and the thunder is

10sec. How far is the lightning? Assume T=0C

Given:

Time= 10 sec

VS @ 0C = 331 m/sec

Distance=?

Solution:
Distance = Time x Velocity of Sound
= 10 sec x 331m
sec
= 3,310 m
= 3.3km

JONALYN MAE G. LOBATONBS MICROBIOLOGY 3-B GROUP 4

Questions and Problems:

1. In what ways would the experimental data be altered if the resonance

tube experiment were carried out at a lower temperature? Explain.

At lower temperature, the velocity of sound decreases; and

when the velocity of the sound decreases, the wavelength also
decreases. Therefore, we could alter the experimental data by
making the two resonance length shorter, so that their
difference, (multiplied by 2 to get the wavelength) would also be
shorter.

2. Describe the method of using the resonance tube to determine the

frequency of an unknown tuning fork if a fork of known frequency is
available.

The fork with known frequency is first used in the experiment,

and the water in the tube must be controlled to find the distance
between the nodes. Do this also in the fork with unknown
frequency, and then compare the length of the nodes distances
of each fork to see the ratio between the two.

3. Explain the similarity of the resonance tube to a closed organ pipe.

The distance of water from the open end of the resonance tube
is identical to the different length of the organ pipe. The shorter
the wavelength, the higher the frequency of the sound.


4. The observed delay between a lightning flash and the thunder is 10
seconds. How far is the lightning? (Assume T=0C).

Sound travels 1 kilometer every 3 seconds.

Time between = 10seconds

d=

10 sec
=3.33 km
3 sec

BOSQUE

Questions and Problems:

1. In what ways would the experimental data be altered if the

resonance tube experiment were carried out at a lower
temperature? Explain.

The velocity of sound changes depending on the air

temperature. If there was an increase in temperature, sound
velocity also increases. It also decreases when the
temperature decreases.

2. Define the method of using the resonance tube to determine the

frequency of an unknown tuning fork if a fork of known frequency
is available.

Since air cannot move longitudinally, and waves differ

depending on the tuning forks used, frequency that are

produced by an unknown tuning fork may match that of any

known ones that are considered legit if tested a few times.

3. Explain the similarity of the resonance tube to a closed organ pipe.

Their cylindrical structure makes sound waves resonate by

making them resemble standing waves.

4. The observed delay between a lightning flash and thunder is 10

sec. How far is the lightning? ( Assume T = 0C)

The lightning is 2 miles or 2.057 miles away exactly.

HANNAH LOUBELLE L. BAGA-AN BS MICROBIOLOGY3-B

GROUP 4

Questions and Problems:

1. In what ways would the experimental data be altered if the resonance

tube experiment were carried out at a lower temperature? Explain.

By making the two resonance lengths shorter, we can alter the

date of the resonance tube experiment so that the difference
will also be shorter because the speed of the sound changes as
the temperature changes.

2. Define the method of using the resonance tube to determine the

frequency of an unknown tuning fork if a fork of known frequency is
available.

Frequency of an unknown tuning fork can be determined by

using the speed of sound in air and the height of water in the
tube.

3. Explain the similarity of the resonance tube to a closed organ pipe.

The structure of the organ pipe and the resonance tube is the
same. They both have one end closed and one end open.

4. The observed delay between a lightning flash and thunder is 10 sec.

How far is the lightning? ( Assume T = 0C)

Given:Time(T)= 10 seconds, VS @ 0C = 331 m/s, Distance=?

Solution:

Distance = (T)(VS)
= (10 s)(331m/s)
= 3,310 m