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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the wavelength of sound produced by a tuning fork in a closed pipe resonance scenario, with specific lengths of the pipe given for different resonant frequencies.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between resonant lengths and wavelengths, questioning whether resonant length refers to the physical length of the pipe or the wavelength of the sound. There are attempts to derive the wavelength based on the provided lengths and harmonics.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring the definitions and implications of resonant lengths and wavelengths, while others are reflecting on their understanding of the concepts involved. There is a recognition of confusion regarding terminology, but no consensus has been reached on the correct interpretation.

Contextual Notes

Participants express frustration over potential misunderstandings in terminology during assessments, indicating that definitions may not have been clear in the context of the problem.

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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