Sound+and+Light+Lab


 * __Speed of Sound Lab__

__Purpose:__ The purpose of this lab is to determine the speed of sound using the principle of resonance. "Resonance is the prolongation of sound by reflection; reverberation." ([|www.dictionary.com]) __Materials:__ Resonance tube, large graduated cylinder, meterstick, and two different frequency tuning forks.**

SPEED = FREQUENCY x WAVELENGTH ( λ)




 * __Data:__ **


 * ** Length of tube when resonance occurs ** ||=  ** 16.25 **  ||=  ** 24 **  ||
 * ** Diameter of tube (cm) ** ||= ** 4 ** ||= ** 4 ** ||
 * ** Diameter of tube x 0.4 (cm) ** ||= ** 1.6 ** ||= ** 1.6 ** ||
 * ** 1/4 Wavelength (m) ** ||= ** 17.85 ** ||= ** 25.60 ** ||
 * ** Wavelength (m) ** ||= ** 0.714 ** ||= ** 1.024 ** ||
 * ** Frequnency ** ||= ** 512 ** ||= ** 341.8 ** ||
 * ** Speed of Sound (m/s) ** ||= ** 365.50 **  ||= ** 350.00 ** ||

1. What two variable are needed to calculate the speed of sound? The two variables needed to calculate the speed of sound are the wavelength and frequency.** When the sound started to resonate, it represents 1/4 of the full wavelength. 3. How did the values for the speed of sound compare with the two different frequencies that you tested?** 4. The accepted speed of sound is 332 m/s at 0°C, and increases 0.6 m/s for each Celcius degree above zero. Use a thermometer to find the temperature of the room in  °C. What is the accepted value for the speed of sound in your classroom? The accepted value for speed of sound in our classroom is 347 m/s. 5. How does your calculation for the speed of sound compare with the accepted value from the last problem? Our classes value was very close, and very accurate, but since the room was warmer the** **0°C it was higher.**
 * __Summing Up:__
 * 2. When the sound started to resonate from the tube at a certain spot, how much of a full wavelength did that represent?
 * In my first test, I used a higher frequency tuning fork, so the value for speed of sound was a little bit higher then my second test, where a smaller frequency tuning fork was used.