SPH3U - Waves and Sound
Lab activity: Speed of Sound in air using a Closed Air column
(1.5: Resonance)
Purpose:
To calculate the speed of sound in air using the resonant lengths of a closed air column.
Materials:
Tube, water, graduated cylinder, tuning fork, ruler
Apparatus: Create a hand drawing of the setup
Method: Rewrite the instructions in the third person, past, passive voice.
1. A graduated cylinder was filled with water.
2. A tube was placed inside (which made the end in the water a closed end).
3.
Observation: Complete the following table
Tuning fork’s frequency (Hz)
1st harmonic length (m)
2nd harmonic length (m)
f =
L1 =
L2 =
Analysis: Answer all questions
Note: To find the wavelength, use the following formula (the difference between two
1
consecutive resonant lengths is always 2 𝜆.)
𝜆 = 2(L2 - L1)
Conclusion: Summarize your findings