Members: Date Performed: February 14, 2011

1 Africano, Jasmine Grace G. Date Submitted: February 28, 2011

2 Arenos, Carl Lawrence

3 Bagazin, Precious G.

4 Barona, Angela Marie M.

5 Bautista, Maureen

6 Buquid, Juene Adrianne*

Group 1, 2APH

Experiment No. 5: Speed of Sound

ABSTRACT :

The speed of sound is the distance travelled during a unit of time by a soundwave
propagating through an elastic medium. The speed of sound is not a constant; it varies
depending on the medium in which it travels. The measurement of sound velocity in the medium
of air must take into account many factors, including air temperature, pressure, and purity. As
air temperature rises, sound velocity increases. Sound travels faster in water than in air and
even faster in iron and steel. In this experiment, a tuning fork was vibrated using a rubber
mallet. The vibrating fork was then placed in a medium partially filled with water. The amount of
water was significant in determining the speed of sound, too much or too low of a water level will
not produce a sound.  The speed of sound obtained in this experiment was then compared to
the actual speed of sound which is 343.2 m/s

 Guide Questions 

1.Through what fraction of  a vibration has the prong of a tuning fork moved while the sound
traveled down to the water surface inside the pipe and was reflected back up the fork again?

-The sound wave traveled ¼ of wave down and ¼ of a wave up, therefore the tuning fork
vibrated ½ of a cycle. 
 
2. What is the approximate  wavelength of the fundamental resonant frequency of a  closed tube
35cm long if the tube has a diameter of 4cm? 

Formula : λ = 4L

4 (35 cm ) = 140 cm

 
3. A tuning fork of frequency 384 Hz exhibits resonance with a closed tube20cm long and 4 cm
in diameter. What is the speed of the sound wave?
formula : V = λ f

To solve for λ , use the formula :

λ = 4L

λ = 4(20cm)

λ = 80cm

f (frequency) = 384Hz or 384 1/s

V= 80cm (384 1/s) = 30720 cm/s

Conversion of cm/s to m/s

30720 cm x 1 x 10-2 m = 307.2 m/s

1cm