Sound moving through different mediums

  • Thread starter Thread starter squib
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sound
AI Thread Summary
When sound travels through different mediums, the fundamental frequency produced by a pipe filled with helium at the same temperature is influenced by the speed of sound in each medium. The initial assumption is that the frequency remains constant when the medium changes, but this overlooks the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and the speed of sound. The correct approach involves understanding that the frequency of the sound generated by the pipe is tied to the medium's properties, specifically the mass of the gas. The discussion highlights confusion over the application of formulas and factors affecting frequency, emphasizing that the fundamental frequency is determined by the characteristics of the medium and the pipe. Ultimately, the frequency does not change due to the medium alone, but the speed of sound in helium alters the overall propagation characteristics.
squib
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
A certain pipe produces a fundamental frequency of f in air.

If the pipe is filled with helium at the same temperature, what fundamental frequency does it produce?

I assume that I just take (f/v1)(v2), with v1 being speed in air and v2 being speed in helium

this lead me to the equation:
(f*sqrt(M_air))/sqrt(M_He)

However, this is somehow off by a multiplicative factor. I can, however, find no way in which any other factor would be involved...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Assuming that the mechanism in which the sound is being generated remains the same, the frequency does not change. If the speakers are vibrating the air at 5kHz, then changing the air content will not affect how they vibrate.
 
i think this may be assuming that air/he is the medium which the wave is traveling in, not the pipe itself
 
or.. f is also the fundamental frequency of the pipe, so you are using f = nv/2pi (or 4pi) i can't remember which, but that factor of the equation should be inconsequential.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top