NAME : I.D.

# LAB PARTNERS Bennett and Veronica Cameron LAB INSTRUCTOR : DATE 2011 LAB NUMBER TITLE : Speed of Sound in Air AIM experimental value for the

: : : :

Anil Rochester 18085026 Michael Mr. Cedric Hanson February 2, 1 Measurement of the To obtain an speed of sound in air.

APPARATUS SETUP

PROCEDURE: 1. The tube was clamped so that the water in the graduated cylinder closes its lower end. The tube was freed to slide vertically through the clamps jaws.
2. An approximate value of 300ms-1 was taken for the speed of sound to obtain a rough estimate of

the quarter wavelength resonance position. 3. The highest frequency (1024 Hz) tuning fork on the wooden block was stroked, and it was held in a horizontal position just above the mouth of the tube. 4. The tube was slid slowly up/down until the note heard from the tube was at its loudest; resonance was now occurring.
5. The clamp was tightened in this position and the length was measured of the air column (from

the water level to the top of the tube) l1 with a metre stick.
6. The tube was clamped (or its extension) so that the air column was 2 or 3 cm less than 3l1.

7. A second weaker resonance with the same tuning fork was obtained by again sliding the tube until the note was heard at its loudest, at the three-quarters wavelength resonance position.
8. The tube was clamped in this position and was measured with a metre stick, the air column

length l2 at this resonance.

9. This procedure was repeated to obtain the corresponding values of l 1 and l2 for all the tuning

forks in order of decreasing frequency. 10. The measurements in a table were recorded. 11. The wavelength was calculated using in each case. 12. The speed of sound was calculated from c, for each of the tuning forks. 13. The average value was found for the speed of sound.
14. A graph was plotted of f versus 1/ .

PRECAUTIONS: a) It was ensured that water was poured into the required apparatus at the correct level.

b) It was ensured that the experiment conducted was repeated to ascertain accuracy. c) Each person involved in the direct manipulation of the apparatus in the experiment had to be
attentive to hear the highest frequency sound so that the results could be accurate.

d) It was ensured that the apparatus was set up on firm foundation to prevent collapse. e) It was ensured that each piece of equipment was formally assessed and deemed appropriate for
use in lab; a prime example is checking to see if the hose had other openings in its structure apart from at both ends of its channel.

f) It was ensured that the water apparatus, namely the hose and the graduated cylinder, where held
at equivalent height to prevent the possibility of water overflow.

APPARATUS: 1000ml graduated cylinder Resonance tube Set of tuning forks (frequency range 256Hz to 1024Hz) Vernier Calipers Metre stick Stand (longest upright type) Clamp Wooden block

ACCURACY OF ERRORS: Air may have been trapped in the hose as air bubbles were observed coming out The pitch of the climax sound was often not high enough for the experiment to be carried out properly. For one of the length values, an experimental value could not be measured because the scalar quantitys maximum range created on the graduated cylinder could not give an account due to the value being larger than the scalar readings; therefore, the average experimental value for the speed of sound in air was inaccurate because a theoretical value was used in the arithmetic calculation with experimental values.

DISCUSSION Sound is a sensation produced by stimulation. It originates and is made by mechanical vibrations transmitted through elastic mediums. Sound travel as waves and to be more specific, it travels as longitudinal waves. Like all waveform structures and components, sound comprises of a wavelength, frequency, amplitude and speed (velocity).in definition of these terms, wavelength is the distance between two successive crest, frequency refers to how high or low the sound is or pitch, amplitude is the maximum displacement of the sound wave and the speed of sound defines how fast the wave travels. Below is a unique formula showing relationships to the above definitions. Wave Velocity = wavelength () x frequency (f)

Sound is around us every day and it has great importance in daily life. The speed of sound is dependent on the medium through which the waves of sound travel; by this I mean sound travels slower in air when compared to its travel in liquids and solids. The speed of sound in an medium depends on the elasticity of the object. Based on factual evidence, sound travels faster in liquids four times than in solids and about fifteen times in steel faster than in air. In addition, the lower the density of a medium is the faster the speed of sound travel. The higher the compressibility, the slower the sound travels. The speed of sound in air is approximately 331.5 m/s at 0 C or about 1200 km per hour. Through air, the speed is approximately 343 m/s at normal room temperature (20 C). Throughout theoretical calculation, the speed of sound through air is 346 m/s at 25 C. an approximated figure is enlisted below in a formula: speed of sound (m/s) = 331.5 + 0.60 T(C)

Throughout the lab, firstly the type of wave showcased as characteristical to sound waves is longitudinal wave which is also called a compression wave. The back-and-forth or to-and-fro motion creates this form of wave which deals with a restoring force. However, in dealing with sound in air or through a medium, a natural frequency of vibration will occur at a particular length which directly deals with displacement/travel/amplitude. In this lab using a tuning fork, when in vibration and placed over the necessary apparatus used, the length of the column of air in designed setup is altered; this was

observed by the displacement of water due to air particles colliding with the molecules applying a force to result in displacement. With this, it has become possible to find the length of displacement. In a fundamental vibration statistics or mode, the length of air in the apparatus setup is equal to a quarter of a wavelength. By further ascertaining measurement of diameter for the air column and also further knowing and recognizing the frequency of the tuning fork used to create a sound the speed of air which is the aim of this lab could be calculated. The formula used to calculate the experimental speed of sound is stated firstly followed by the theoretical formula used.

d is the diameter of the tube. The correction error is (e = 0.3d) After lab was completed within 20 to 30 minutes, these formulas where utilized to calculate and reach the aim of the lab which was to find the speed of sound in air. With a starting speed of sound being 300m/s, the experimental values ascertained through calculations showed only a small difference 0.01 from the starting speed of sound thus proving that the method was on target and accurate. Of course, using the theoretical formulas above to calculate the theoretical values, it showed greater precision and accuracy. The major factor affecting sound is temperature and at the temperature degree in Mandeville using the theoretical formulas showed that there were errors present in the experimental values. Although the errors didnt supersede a 10% margin it showed that various factors one namely being temperature affected the outcome of accurate experimental values; other errors were notified as stated previous to this in the accuracy of errors. Scrutinizing the results and calculations finally, the speed of sound for frequencies 1024Hz, 512Hz, 341.3Hz and 288Hz were respectively 299.008m/s, 299.008m/s, 300.344m/s and 299.520m/s. when compared to the theoretical values which are in the same frequency order just stated, in average the percentage difference was 8.5% (see calculation sheet). For other differences such as observed in wavelength, also see calculation sheet. What can be said this, the lab was successful; errors occurred but it still cannot be termed as a failure. Sound has unique properties and in this in-depth experimental study revealed the uniqueness of God and his awesomeness in creating such a vibration, pulsation, frequency action, audible waves.

CONCLUSION It can be concluded that the aim of this lab was reached which was to obtain an experimental value for the speed of sound in air. This lab used four (4) different frequencies being 1024Hz, 512Hz, 341.3Hz and 288Hz. The experimental value for the speed of sound in air at 1024Hz was 299.008m/s, at 512Hz was 299.008m/s, at 341.3Hz was 300.344m/s and at 288Hz was 299.520Hz. In a mean value, the average experimental value for the speed of sound in air was calculated to be 299.470Hz. REFERENCE Giancoli, Douglas C., Physics, 6th Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Education Inc., NJ07458, 2005

QUESTIONS 1. What does the gradient of the graph represent? Use your graph to find the speed of sound in air, taking special care with your units. Show details of relevant formula(s) and calculations. Please see graph. 2. (a) Compare the theoretical value of sound with your experimental value. (b) State how accurate your method is in finding the speed of sound and what measures could be taken for greater accuracy. A) This comparison was done in the calculations section. b) The method used had just about 94% accuracy in finding the speed of sound and measures such as more adequate apparatus used and carried out in an enclosed and silent environment would have improved the results obtained closer to the theoretical values. However, the format in proceeding throughout the lab was still effective. 3. State with details two (2) major differences between light waves and sound waves in air. ANSWER: Two (2) major differences are: Velocity of wave and the Specific wave action featured. Velocity Sound waves travel through air at a speed approximately 343 metres per second while light waves travel at 299,792,458 metres per second . Type of Wave Sound waves are longitudinal waves alternately compressing and expanding matter and light waves are transverse waves present in electro-magnetic fields. Sound requires a medium for travel while while light travels through empty space. The denser the medium, the greater the speed of sound but it is opposite in regards to light for light travels slower in denser mediums; Sound travels through all substances but light cannot do the same. 4. (a) What factors affect the speed of sound in air? (b)Indicate how each factor works to increase or decrease the speed. ANSWER: Factors are Temperature, Humidity and Type of Gaseous Particles. Temperature the higher the temperature in the atmosphere will result in the speed of sound being faster. Humidity the higher the humidity has proven to effect slightly upon sound throughout the atmosphere increasing in speed. Gaseous Particles the atmosphere is a mixture of gases and the speed of sound will be faster in lighter atomic weight gases than throughout heavier atomic weight gases whether they are single elements or in compounds. Graph below Showing Frequency (f) versus Wavelength factor ()

Diagrams

Meter ruler

Tuning forks

Graduated Cylinder

Resonance tube

Clamp and Stand

Vernier caliper