How do I tell what harmonic an instrument is producing?

Danya314 · May 28, 2015

Homework Statement

An instrument is producing a tone, such as a D4. If I know the frequency of the tone, the length of the instrument but nothing else, how can I find the harmonic at which the tone is produced? The instrument is an open tube.

Homework Equations

v=wavelength*frequency[/B]
L=n*wavelength/2

The Attempt at a Solution

The point of the overall problem is to calculate the speed of sound using the length and frequency, but I don't know what equation to use to find the velocity since the harmonic number is not given.

BvU · May 28, 2015

L=n*wavelength/2 is OK for a tube open at both ends. Is that what you have at hand ?
If they don't tell you (and you do need it), assume it's the base frequency.
(And if v comes out weird, you can still try a higher resonance)

How do I tell what harmonic an instrument is producing?

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Discussion

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