Resonant Frequency and Air Column Length

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The discussion centers on the relationship between air column length and resonant frequency. It is established that a longer air column results in a lower resonant frequency, producing a lower pitch sound, while a shorter column yields a higher frequency and pitch. Participants reference musical instruments to illustrate this concept, noting that larger instruments like tubas have longer tubes and produce lower frequencies. The fundamental frequency is confirmed to be inversely proportional to the length of the tube. Overall, a clear understanding of how air column length affects sound frequency is reached.
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Hi. The experiment is set up so that a loudspeaker is suspended oer a column of air. When sound is sent through the air column, the particls of air will vibrate. The amplitude is related to the loudness of the sound so when the particles vibrate at their maximum amplitude (resonance) the sound will be at its loudest.

Would you expect the resonant frequency to be higher or lower of the air-column was longer?

I would say the resonant frequency to be higher because the natural frequency of the air particles would be higher, is this correct?
 
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think about instruments. how much tube is there for a flute or a trumpet?how much tube is there for a trombone or a tuba? which is the bigger instrument: alto saxophone or bass saxophone?
/s
 
the longer the tube, the lower the pitch of sound, so lower frequency.
So, the short the air column, the higher the frequency. Is this right?
 
Last edited:
Can someone please help?
 
garytse86 said:
the longer the tube, the lower the pitch of sound, so lower frequency.
So, the short the air column, the higher the frequency. Is this right?
Right. The fundamental frequency is inversely proportional to the length of the tube.
 
Thanks Doc Al.
 

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