Fundamental frequencies and temperature

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the temperature required for a closed organ pipe to produce a specific fundamental frequency, denoted as f. The fundamental frequency is defined by the equation F(T) = k√T / 4L, where k is a constant, T is the temperature, and L is the length of the pipe. The user initially misinterprets the relationship between frequency and temperature, mistakenly concluding that T = T/16. The correct approach involves recognizing that if f = f_F / 4, then the temperature must be derived from the fundamental frequency equation, leading to the conclusion that the temperature is directly related to the frequency.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fundamental frequency in closed pipes
  • Knowledge of the speed of sound in relation to temperature
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation of equations
  • Basic concepts of harmonic frequencies
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between frequency and temperature in sound waves
  • Learn about the speed of sound in air and its dependence on temperature
  • Explore the concept of harmonics in closed and open pipes
  • Investigate the derivation of the wave equation for sound in different mediums
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on acoustics and wave mechanics, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to sound frequency and temperature relationships.

Fallen Seraph
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Homework Statement


The frequency of the note f_4 is f_F.
If an organ pipe is open at one end and closed at the other, what length must it have for its fundamental mode to produce this note at a temperature of T?

ans= v/(4*f_F), where v is the speed of sound in air.

Now the part which troubles me:

At what air temperature will the frequency be f? (Ignore the change in length of the pipe due to the temperature change.)

Homework Equations



(fundamental frequency)=v/4L where L is the length of a closed pipe.
and

v=k*sqrt(T) where k is a constant (suitable for this situation, nothing else is known/varying)

The Attempt at a Solution


My initial reaction was to say that since the wavelength in the closed pipe must remain the same (4*L) the frequency varies linearly with speed of sound. So for frequency to the divided by four, so must speed, for speed to be divided by four temperature must be divided by 4^2=16, so my answer was T/16. But I'm being told that this is wrong, and that the answer includes the variable "f".

Any help?
 
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It is asking for a temperature. I'm not sure what you've done so far but you should start from here;

F_{0}=\frac{k\sqrt{T}}{4L}
 
Hmmmm... but surely that equation will just return the answer t/16?
 
Fallen Seraph said:
Hmmmm... but surely that equation will just return the answer t/16?
Reread the question. You want to get something of the form of T = ...
 
Fallen Seraph said:
But I'm being told that this is wrong, and that the answer includes the variable "f".
I think you're either misunderstanding this part of the question, or not paying close enough attention with the calculation.

Let me restate the question in a form that might help: If the fundamantal frequency is f_F at temperature T, then at what temperature is the fundamental frequency = f?
 
I'm afraid I'm really missing something here. I really cannot see what is wrong with this as a solution:

F(x)=\frac{k\sqrt{x}}{4L} Where x is the temperature, F is the fundamental frequency.

For f= f_F we have x = T.

so F(T)=\frac{k\sqrt{T}}{4L} = f_F

we want to find y, where F(y)=f. We know that \frac{f_F}{4} = f

so F(y)=F(T)= \frac{k\sqrt{y}}{4L} = \frac{k\sqrt{T}}{16L}

Which eventually gives y = T/16. I know it's a bit long winded for what it's actually doing, but I can't see what's wrong with it...
 
Fallen Seraph said:
We know that \frac{f_F}{4} = f
And how do we know this?
 
well I assumed that if f_F was f_4, then it's the fourth harmonic of f, so f_4=4f. Is this an incorrect assumption?
 
gah. so it is. that's a bit frustrating... ah well. thanks a lot for the help and time.
 

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