Calculating the speed of sound in air

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the speed of sound in air using resonance lengths observed in a resonance tube with a tuning fork of 325 Hz. Initial calculations incorrectly interpreted the resonance lengths, leading to a speed of 330.2 m/s, which was not among the provided options. Clarification revealed that the distance between the first two anti-nodes is 52 cm, allowing for a corrected calculation. Using the formula with the correct length, the speed of sound was determined to be 338 m/s. This value aligns with one of the choices given in the original problem.
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Homework Statement


In a resonance tube, using a tuning fork of frequency 325 Hz,the first two resonance lengths are observed at 25.4cm and 77.4cm.The speed of sound in air is
1. 318m/s 2. 338m/s 3.358m/s 4.378m/s 5. 368m/s


Homework Equations



v=f*lambda

The Attempt at a Solution


Since the question states 25.4cm and 77.4cm as the 1st two resonance lengths,25.4cm has to be the length of the tube at the fundamental frequency and 77.4cm at the 1st overtone.
And since 77.4cm is approximately 3 times the fundamental length of 25.4cm,I'm assuming it's a closed pipe.

Therefore, lambda/4 = 0.254m
lambda=1.016m
Then using v=f * lambda
=325*1.016
I get v =330.2m/s which is not among the choices given, so I'm really hoping someone could help me out here.
Thanks
 
Last edited:
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Think about the question again;

"the first two resonance lengths are observed at 25.4cm & 77.4cm" means the distance between the first two anti-nodes = 52cm, so effectively the "length" in the equation is 52

frequency = \frac{Speed}{2 * Length}
325 = \frac{Speed}{2 * 0.52}
 
Thanks. I get it now. I get a velocity of 338m/s
 
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