How Do You Calculate the Wavelength in a Closed Pipe Resonance Problem?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the wavelength of sound produced by a turning fork in a closed pipe resonance problem. The first harmonic wavelength is determined using the formula λ = 4 * L, where L is the length of the pipe. Given a closed pipe length of 25 cm and the next resonant length of 75 cm, the calculated wavelength is 2.25 m. Participants clarify that resonant length refers to the length of the air column in the pipe, not the wavelength itself, leading to a common misunderstanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of harmonic frequencies in closed pipes
  • Knowledge of sound wave properties and speed of sound
  • Familiarity with basic physics equations related to waves
  • Concept of resonance in acoustics
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  • Study the relationship between frequency and wavelength in sound waves
  • Learn about the properties of closed pipe resonators
  • Explore the concept of harmonics and overtones in acoustics
  • Investigate the effects of temperature on the speed of sound
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on acoustics, sound wave behavior, and resonance phenomena in closed pipes.

crosbykins
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Homework Statement



-a pipe closed at one end resonates with a turning fork at a length of 25cm. The next resonant length is 75cm. The air temperature is 11.6C. What is the wavelength of the sound produced by the turning fork.

Homework Equations


1st harmonic: lambda = 4 * L
3rd harmonic: lambda = 4/3 * L


The Attempt at a Solution


ok so the 3rd resonant legth = .75m
so .75m = 4/3 *L
L = .56m

so for the 1st resonant length -> lambda = 4 * .56m
=2.25m

since the frequency of the turning fork must equal the frequency of the pipe and the speed of sound stays the same that means the pipe and turning fork will have the same wavelength. so the wavelength of the sound produced by the turning fork is 2.25m.

is that correct...? thanks for the help, in advance!
 
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The situation is a little different here.
By resonant length, it seems the question is referring to the actual length of pipe that resonates at the frequency of the fork.
So it looks like this
openpipe.png


The 1st resonance and the 2nd resonance are the same frequency and wavelength. They take place in 2 different lengths of tube.
Can you see what the wavelength of the sound is now?
 
Last edited:
Stonebridge said:
The situation is a little different here.
By resonent length, it seems the question is referring to the actual length of pipe that resonates at the frequency of the fork.
So it looks like this
openpipe.png


The 1st resonance and the 2nd resonance are the same frequency and wavelength. They take place in 2 different lengths of tube.
Can you see what the wavelength of the sound is now?

so lambda is 100cm...1m. doesn't resonant length usually refer to the wavelength of the sound, not acutally length or can it refer to either.
 
crosbykins said:
so lambda is 100cm...1m. doesn't resonant length usually refer to the wavelength of the sound, not acutally length or can it refer to either.

ohhh, resonant length is simply the length of the air column/pipe...on my test today for some reason i thought resonant length was the wavelength. uh, that's really frustrating I probably lost so many marks when I could have easily done the qs. oh well. thanks for the help, though.
 
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