Effect of Temperature on Frequency

AI Thread Summary
Sound travels slower in cold air compared to warm air, but the frequency of the sound does not change with temperature. The relationship between frequency, velocity, and wavelength is defined by the equation f = v/(lambda), where one of these variables remains constant. When the speed of sound decreases due to lower temperatures, the wavelength adjusts accordingly to keep the frequency constant. Thus, while the speed and wavelength may change with air density, the frequency of the sound produced by a source remains unchanged. Understanding this relationship clarifies the impact of temperature on sound propagation.
missileblitz
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Homework Statement



Sound travels slower in the cold air than warm air. If you place your sound system outside on a cold winter night and listen to your favourite music, will the frequency of the sound change (pitch change)?

Homework Equations



f x (lambda)= v

The Attempt at a Solution



Basically from what I can observe from the formula, either one can be constants, but I don't know which. However when I look at this formula f = v/(lambda), frequency seems to have a constant relationship with velocity. Does that mean that when the speed decreases, the frequency should too?
 
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think density of air. which (speed, frequency or wavelength) changes when the density of the medium changes?
 
I'm confused. When the density of the medium changes, doesn't the speed and wavelength change, hence a change in frequency hence f = v/(lambda)?
 
missileblitz said:
I'm confused. When the density of the medium changes, doesn't the speed and wavelength change, hence a change in frequency hence f = v/(lambda)?

this is flawed logic. look at the equation. what will happen to the frequency when speed and wavelength both increase by half, for instance?

hint: one of the three, speed, wavelength and frequency, remains constant.

what do you think is the source of a particular frequency of sound?
 
arkofnoah said:
this is flawed logic. look at the equation. what will happen to the frequency when speed and wavelength both increase by half, for instance?

hint: one of the three, speed, wavelength and frequency, remains constant.

what do you think is the source of a particular frequency of sound?

Ah of course, the frequency remains constant.
 
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