How Does Helium Affect the Fundamental Frequency of an Organ Pipe?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kristibella
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Helium Pipe
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The fundamental frequency of an organ pipe filled with helium is calculated to be 854.5 Hz, significantly higher than the 291 Hz produced in air. This increase is due to the difference in the speed of sound in helium compared to air, influenced by their respective molar masses: 28.8 g/mol for air and 4.00 g/mol for helium. The relevant formula used is fHe = v/γ, where γ is related to the length of the pipe. Understanding the speed of sound in different gases is crucial for solving such problems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fundamental frequency in acoustics
  • Knowledge of the speed of sound in gases
  • Familiarity with ideal gas laws
  • Basic mathematical skills for applying formulas
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the speed of sound in various gases, focusing on helium and air
  • Learn about the effects of gas composition on sound propagation
  • Explore the relationship between molar mass and sound speed in ideal gases
  • Study the principles of resonance in open organ pipes
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly in acoustics, musicians interested in the properties of sound, and educators teaching concepts related to sound waves and gas behavior.

kristibella
Messages
18
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A certain organ pipe, open at both ends, produces a fundamental frequency of 291 Hz in air.

If the pipe is filled with helium at the same temperature, what fundamental frequency fHe will it produce? Take the molar mass of air to be 28.8 g/mol and the molar mass of helium to be 4.00 g/mol.

Homework Equations


fHe = v/\gamma

\gamma = 2 L


The Attempt at a Solution


Honestly, I have no idea what to do with this problem so I have no attempt. I was completely thrown off my the molar masses because I haven't seen a problem like this before. I'm not even sure if these are the right formulas for this problem.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
kristibella said:

Homework Statement


A certain organ pipe, open at both ends, produces a fundamental frequency of 291 Hz in air.

If the pipe is filled with helium at the same temperature, what fundamental frequency fHe will it produce? Take the molar mass of air to be 28.8 g/mol and the molar mass of helium to be 4.00 g/mol.

Homework Equations


fHe = v/\gamma

\gamma = 2 L

The Attempt at a Solution


Honestly, I have no idea what to do with this problem so I have no attempt. I was completely thrown off my the molar masses because I haven't seen a problem like this before. I'm not even sure if these are the right formulas for this problem.

The speed of sound will be different in helium from that of air.

For ideal gasses:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/sound/souspe3.html

For helium:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/souspe.html#c5
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
11K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
18K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K