PHYS1111 – Fundamentals of Physics – Experimental report

Author of this report Collaborator (if applicable)

Name Shahriar Khan Name
zID z5311268 zID

Investigation title: Speed of sound

Photographic evidence of investigation and experimental set up
Author with experimental set up: Photo ID:

Aim of the investigation

The aim of the experiment is to experimentally determine the speed of sound in air by finding the
fundamental frequency of the column of air in a tube.
Risk Controls
Risk rating with
Associated
Hazards existing controls
Tasks risks Existing controls
(Step 3) (Step 5)
(Step 4)
C L R
Keep electrical device as far
from water as possible

Mop up any spills immediately

Do not hold device directly
Using an
Electrical Damage to over the water
electronic
device device 2 C M
device near
getting wet Electrocution Use container with narrow
water
opening to reduce chance of
dropping device in water

Unplug electrical device from

main power
Using an
Injury to self
electronic
Slip on floor or to others Mop up any spills immediately 2 D L
device near
who slip
water
Do not put earphones in your
ears, just hold them near the
Could pipe.
Using sound Loud noises damage Do not use sound on highest 1 D L
hearing
setting without having
earphones plugged in.

Risk statement: I agree to follow these rink control methods and conduct the experiment safely.
Results:
Frequency 1/f (s) Uncertainty Uncertainty Length 4L (λ) Uncertainty Uncertainty
(Hz) in frequency 1/f (s) of tube in length of in λ (m)
(Hz) (m)
(L) tube (cm)
(cm)
500 0.002000 ±5 ± 0.00002000 16.8 0.672 ± 0.25 ± 0.01
600 0.001667 ±6 ± 0.00001667 14.6 0.584 ± 0.25 ± 0.01
700 0.001429 ±7 ± 0.00001429 13.1 0.524 ± 0.25 ± 0.01
800 0.001250 ±8 ± 0.00001250 11.4 0.456 ± 0.25 ± 0.01
900 0.001111 ±9 ± 0.00001111 9.7 0.388 ± 0.25 ± 0.01
1000 0.001000 ± 10 ± 0.00001000 8.7 0.348 ± 0.25 ± 0.01
1100 0.000909 ± 11 ± 0.00000909 7.2 0.288 ± 0.25 ± 0.01
Analysis
1) Uncertainty calculations: For frequency,
Uncertainty is calculated as 1% of the selected frequency:
500 x 0.01 = ± 5 Hz

600 x 0.01 = ± 6 Hz

700 x 0.01 = ± 7 Hz

800 x 0.01 = ± 8 Hz

900 x 0.01 = ± 9 Hz

1000 x 0.01 = ± 10 Hz

1100 x 0.01 = ± 11 Hz

For length,
Minimum increment on ruler = ± 0.5 cm,
Therefore uncertainty = 0.5/2 = ± 0.25 cm
Graph
nλ λ
We know that L = , if n = 1, then L = (1)
4 4
The aim of the investigation is to find the speed of sound, as such we can make use of the
equation
Velocity = frequency x speed ( v = f x λ) (2).
v v
Using λ = (3), we get L =
f 4f
Once rearranged  v = 4L x f (4)
y
So if put in a graph, since gradient = , we can calculate the velocity by plotting 4L against 1/f
x
Also from (2) and (4) we get, λ = 4L
(divided by 100 to get values in meters)

Length of tube (L) (cm) 4L (λ) (m)

(16.8 x 4)/100 0.672
(14.6 x 4)/100 0.584
(13.1 x 4)/100 0.524
(11.4 x 4)/100 0.456
(9.7 x 4)/100 0.388
(8.7 x 4)/100 0.348
(7.2 x 4)/100 0.288

Uncertainty in 1/f =
Since uncertainty in frequency is 1% of the frequency, then uncertainty of 1/f is 1% of 1/f
1/f (s) x 0.01 Uncertainty in 1/f (s)
0.002000 x 0.01 = 0.00002000 ± 0.00002000
0.001667 x 0.01 = 0.00001667 ± 0.00001667
0.001429 x 0.01 = 0.00001429 ± 0.00001429
0.001250 x 0.01 = 0.00001250 ± 0.00001250
0.001111 x 0.01 = 0.00001111 ± 0.00001111
0.001000 x 0.01 = 0.00001000 ± 0.00001000
 0.000909 x 0.01 = 0.00000909 ± 0.00000909

Uncertainty in wavelength (λ):

We know λ = 4L, therefore uncertainty in λ will be 4 times the uncertainty in the length:
Uncertainty in length of tube (cm) Uncertainty in λ (cm)
Uncertainty in length (cm) x 4 Uncertainty in λ (m)
± (0.25 x 4)/100 = 0.01 ± 0.01

As the velocity can be expressed as the gradient, the line of best fit suggests that the speed of
sound obtained from the experiment is 346 m/s. Uncertainty in the speed of sound obtained from
the investigation can be calculated by finding the average difference between the max and min
gradient line, therefore  (372-333)/2 = ±19.5 m/s
Hence obtained result  346 ±19.5 m/s

Answers to experiment questions

1)
 The proportion of wave inside the length of the tube at the first fundamental frequency
(n=1), is 1/4 of the wave

2) Radius of tube used ≈ 2.2 cm

End effect ≈ 0.6 x radius of tube
Therefore end effects ≈ 2.2 x 0.6 = 1.32 cm
Uncertainty ≈ 0.05 cm x 0.6 = ±0.03 cm
Therefore the approximate end effects are 1.32 ±0.03 cm

3) Highest frequency: 1100 Hz

Since this is a one open one closed pipe situation, n can only assume odd integers (1,3,5…)
As such the next two harmonics will be when n = 3 and n = 5
nλ
We know L = ,
4
3 x 0.288
So for n = 3, L = =0.216 m(21.6 cm)
4
5 x 0.288
n = 5, L = = 0.360 m (36 cm)
4
therefore the next harmonics will occur at 0.216 m and 0.360 m respectively

when n = 3, the pipe contains ¾ of the wavelength hence L = ¾ x λ

when n = 5, the pipe contains 5/4 of the wavelength hence L = 5/4 x λ

 4) The theoretical value for the speed of sound is 343 m/s in air at 20°C, the observed value of
the speed of sound is 346 ±19.5 m/s. As the theoretical value is bounded inside the range
from the uncertainty [326.5 ̶ 365.5] the results can be said to be . Due to the cumbersome
set up of the experimental apparatus it is quite difficult to get a precise reading from the
ruler, I expect this adversely affected the investigation. Human error also attributed to the
experiment as the point of resonance may recorded may not have in fact been the loudest
sound produced. Furthermore, the temperature for theoretical value of the speed is 20°C,
however the temperature during the day of the experiment was greater than 20°C so this
will have affected the investigation as well.

Conclusion

The experiment is a valid method by which the speed of sound can be determined with a level of
accuracy that is dependent on the condition of the environment and the dexterity of the
experimenter. The result obtained from the investigation suggested that the speed of sound is 346
±19.5 m/s, as theoretical value for the speed of sound (343 m/s) is within the bounds of the
uncertainty it can be said that the experimental value is consistent with the theoretical value.
Furthermore, using the assumption that the end effects are 0.6 times the radius of the tube and
found to be 1.32 ± 0.03 cm.