Speed Of Sound Lab

Lab to measure the speed of Sound Name: Nandu Pokhrel Jan 5th 2015

Abstract:
The objective of this lab is to determine the speed of sound using the knowledge of waves and sounds. In this experiment you will learn how to measure the speed of sound by holding a vibrating tuning fork over an open tube of water. This will be noticed because the volume becomes louder at the proper length. Materials:
• Resonance tube
• Graduated cylinder,
• Meter stick,
• Thermometer,
• Tuning forks

Procedure:
1 .Strike a tuning fork against a soft material such as a rubber block.
Record the temperature of the room.
3. Strike the tuning fork with rubber.
4. Hold the vibrating fork near the open end of the resonant tube and listen to the sound intensity as the water level is raised or lowered
5. Slowly move the tube and up and down together until the sound gets louder.
6. Measure the length of the air column from the surface of the water to open end.
7. Repeat the above steps for the remaining two tuning forks.
8. Record all collected data in tabular (chart or table) format.

Calculation:
For tuning fork having frequency of 256Hz
V = 331.4 + 0.606 X (T)
V = 331.4 + 0.606 X (20)
V = 343.52
Now,
V = L F
L = 343.52/256
L = 1.34
Ln = (2n-1) x L