Physics Laboratory Report

Laboratory 9
Title: Standing waves

Date: November 9, 2018

Session: PhysLab 8

Group #6
Abstract

In accordance with the basic concepts of waves, the air pressure directed in a vertical axis, which has approximate image of sine or
cosine in graphs. In theory, the resonance of waves cause because of direction of sound into open and closed tubes. The laboratory
experiment focused on measurements of resonant frequency in which reflected one was in phase with actual value. As a result of
calculations, we obtained the values for open tube were for closed and open tubes respectively.
f 0 ,Hz f 1 ,Hz f 2 ,Hz f 3 ,Hz f 4 ,Hz f 5 ,Hz
94.95 ± 2.05 151.8 ± 2.05 341.7 ± 6.15 531.6 ± 10.25 721.5 ± 14.35 911.4 ± 18.45

f 0 ,Hz f 1 ,Hz f 2 ,Hz f 3 ,Hz f 4 ,Hz f 5 ,Hz

94.95 ± 2.05 151.8 ± 2.05 341.7 ± 6.15 531.6 ± 10.25 721.5 ± 14.35 911.4 ± 18.45

During the first part of this experiment, the values of frequencies increased gradually which were directed into tube in order to find the
resonant frequency. In second part, the values of position and length were changed while the value of frequency remains constant.
Then, we obtained the calculations of speed of sound and compared with actual values. The values of speed of sound were: ​338.8
± 6.18 m/s​ ​347.2 ± 7.46 m/s ​. According to calculations, we can notice that the results were similar to each other despite some
errors caused in it which satisfies the experiment.

Introduction

The sound waves that were detailed in the pipe might be elaborated as the movement of air in this pipe, whereas it is compressed by
the piston. Compression is the situation when the piston moves forward and more pressure builds up in the tube. A vacuum is an
area where the medium pressure is created while the piston moves to its initial position. The harmonic movement of the piston back
and forth creates longitudinal waves. This motion has similarities with the movement of a sound wave. However, in this case, the
vacuum and compression are created not by the piston, but with the speaker.
In this experiment, the principles of standard waves were considered. Standing Wave is a wave that pretends to vibrate vertically,
however, does not move along the horizontal axis. This particular type of wave can be created from other waves having the same
amplitude and frequency, interfering with each other when moving against each other.
Well known German scientist called Franz Melde defined this term in the 60s year of XIX century. Franz wanted to illustrate the
behavior of mechanical waves experiencing interference phenomenon. Till now, the implementing of the basic principles of standing
waves is known worldwide. As an example, the sound coming from the stringed instruments is the application of these principles.
Otherwise, the application of these laws does not often carry positive impacts, as an illustration, these principles could be a reason
for the destruction of the whole bridge like Tacoma-Narrouz on November 7, 1940.

Experimental description

The setup used in the experiment : Function Generator, Oscilloscope, Tube with built-in metric scales, Speaker, Microphone,
Moveable Piston and Probe rod with a clamp for microphone. In this experiment we have collected the data for frequency five times
using Data Studio software in part 1 for opened and closed tube and in part 2 we collected the data for frequency once.

Experimental data
Part 1:

Table 1. Recorded values of the resonant frequency with in tube.

Resonant frequency, Hz 173.4 ± 1.5 359.0 ± 1.0 540 ± 3.0 717 ± 3.0 903 ± 3.0
Amplitude, Vpp 20 20 20 5 5

Table 2. Values of resonant frequency with in tube.

Resonant frequency, Hz 152.0 ± 2.0 342.0 ± 2.0 529 ± 2.0 725 ± 2.0 910 ± 2
Amplitude, Vpp 20 20 20 5 5

Part 2:

Table 3. Position of antinodes with in tube.

Number of antinodes 1 2 3 4
Length, m 0.114 ± 0.346 ± 0.565 ± 0.773 ±
0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005

Table 4. Position of antinodes in closed tube.

Number of antinodes 1 2 3 4
Length, m 0.087 ± 0.265 ± 0.474 ± 0.647 ±
0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005

Data analysis

Part 1:
By knowing the fundamental frequency we can evaluate the frequency of n-th harmonic:: f n = n * f 0 (1), where f 0 is fundamental
frequency and f 0 is frequency of n-th harmonic.
Open tube:
Assuming that f 0 = 173.4 ± 1.5 and values of f n are obtained from Table 1, we can calculate the series of n integers using Equation
1:
n1 = 1, n2 = 2.07 , n3 = 3.11, n4 = 4.14, n5 = 5.99
 Graph 1. n​th​ resonant frequency vs. n for open tube (Note: error bars for y-axis are too small)

For Table 5 we use obtained equation of a line from Graph 1 and substitute the value of x (from 1 to 5).
The error is calculated using Equation: Δf n = Δf 0 * n .
Table. 5 The calculated theoretical values of frequencies in the open tube.
f 0 ,Hz f 1 ,Hz f 2 ,Hz f 3 ,Hz f 4 ,Hz f 5 ,Hz
181.72 ± 2.07 175.04 ± 2.07 356.76 ± 4.14 538.48 ± 6.21 720.2 ± 8.28 901.92 ± 10.35

Closed tube:
Assuming that f 0 = 152.0 ± 2.0 and values of f n are obtained from Table 1, we can calculate the series of n integers using Equation
1:
n1 = 1, n3 = 2.25 , n5 = 3.48, n7 = 4.77, n9 = 5.21
 Graph 2. n​th​ resonant frequency vs. n for closed tube (Note: error bars for y-axis are too small)

For Table 5 we use obtained equation of a line from Graph 2 and substitute the value of x (from 1 to 5).
The error is calculated using Equation: Δf n = Δf 0 * n .

Table. 6 The calculated theoretical values of frequencies in the closed tube.

f 0 ,Hz f 1 ,Hz f 2 ,Hz f 3 ,Hz f 4 ,Hz f 5 ,Hz
94.95 ± 2.05 151.8 ± 2.05 341.7 ± 6.15 531.6 ± 10.25 721.5 ± 14.35 911.4 ± 18.45

Part 2:
Open tube:
 Figure 1. Resonance pattern in open tube.
We know that ​the distance between two adjacent nodes or two adjacent antinodes is equal to half of the wavelength. From the
obtained data, we can find the half-wavelength using Equation: λ1/2 = xn+1 − xn and find its error using Equation Δλ1/2 =
√x
n+1
2 + xn 2 .
After that, we can find the wavelength using Equation λ = 2 * λ1/2 and find its error using Equation Δλ = 2 * Δλ1/2 .
Δf
√(
Δλ 2
Also we know that speed of the sound is equal to: v = λ * f , where f = 770 ± 1 Hz and its Error Δv = v λ ) + ( f )2 .
Consequently:
Table 7. Results of the second part for open tube.
λ1/2 , m Mean λ1/2 , m λ, m v , m/s

0.232 ± 0.007

0.219 ± 0.007 0.220 ± 0.004 0.440 ± 0.008 338.8 ± 6.18

0.208 ± 0.007

Closed tube:
 Figure 2. Resonance pattern in closed tube.

Using the same approach as for open tube we can calculate the wavelength and speed of sound in closed tube:
(Note: f = 930 ± 1 Hz )
Table 8. Results of the second part for closed tube.
λ1/2 , m Mean λ1/2 , m λ, m v , m/s

0.178 ± 0.007

0.209 ± 0.007 0.186 ± 0.004 0.373 ± 0.008 347.2 ± 7.46

0.173 ± 0.007
 Graph 3.Piston position vs antinote number for closed tube.
From the graph: slope = Ln . We also know that wavelength for closed tube: λ = 4L
n . Using this two equations we can get:
Δf
√(
Δλ 2
λ = 4 * slope and its error Δλ = 4 * Δslope . Using v = λ * f ( Δv = v λ ) + ( f )2 .) we can further calculate the speed of the sound in
closed tube.
Consequently, λ = 0.378 ± 0.027 and v = 351.54 ± 25.11

Discussion ​(Part 1)

During the calculations, we obtained the values of fundamental frequency for open and closed tubes. These were :
181.72 ± 2.07 175.04 ± 2.07 356.76 ± 4.14 538.48 ± 6.21 720.2 ± 8.28 901.92 ± 10.35
It is important to notice that the calculations were made accurately despite the some sources of errors. These were can be explained
by human and equipment errors. While collecting data, the external sounds coming from other students affected negatively on
measurements. However, this can be said that the experiment was completed successfully satisfying all requirements.
Discussion ​(Part 2)

As a result of our calculations, three values of speed of sound were obtained. The first value was calculated from measurements of
open tube and the second value was obtained by resonance pattern sketch. Also, the last one by the slope of position versus
number graph. As we noticed from the values of speed of sound in a closed tube was considerably close to the actual value which
was ​347.2 m/s​. Furthermore, there were some errors such as human error and the sounds coming from equipment which did not
affected significantly.

Conclusion
In the following lab experiment it could be stated that the objectives were achieved. Firstly, the fundamental frequencies were
obtained. There were some differences between theoretical and actual results. Moreover, the sound speed was found by the use of
open and closed tubes.
The results gained for the sound speed were similar to the predicted values. The possible sources of errors were mentioned in the
discussion part. The main important error is the human error. The better results could be gained by using a special device or program
which will allow to set the maximum amplitudes. Also, it is important to be very careful during the lab work to get better results.

References