# Calculating the speed of sound in air

1. Jun 10, 2009

### leena19

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
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

2. Relevant equations

v=f*lambda

3. 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: Jun 10, 2009
2. Jun 10, 2009

### Chewy0087

frequency = $$\frac{Speed}{2 * Length}$$
325 = $$\frac{Speed}{2 * 0.52}$$