Standing waves and length of tube

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around determining the length of a tube that produces standing waves at frequencies of 390 Hz, 520 Hz, and 650 Hz. Participants clarify that the tube is likely open at both ends, as indicated by the behavior of the standing waves. They emphasize the importance of calculating the corresponding mode numbers (m) for each frequency to find the correct length. The fundamental frequency is identified as 130 Hz, derived from the relationship between the given frequencies. Using this fundamental frequency along with the speed of sound allows for the calculation of the tube's length.
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Homework Statement



A narrow column of air is found to have standing waves at frequencies of 390 Hz, 520 Hz, and 650 Hz and at no frequencies in between these. The behavior of the tube at frequencies less than 390 Hz or greater than 650 Hz is not known.

How long is the tube?


Homework Equations



f = m(v/(2L)) = mf
m = 1,2,3,4...


The Attempt at a Solution



I keep getting .4358 or .4410 (depending on if I use 344 or 340 for the speed of sound, respectivly)
 
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one-end open tube or both ends open tube?
btw, your answers seem wrong either
 
Last edited:
mjsd said:
one-end open tube or both ends open tube?
btw, your answers seem wrong either

open on both ends, basically like a pipe..
 
aliaze1 said:

Homework Equations



f = m(v/(2L)) = mf
m = 1,2,3,4...

did u work out the corresponding m's for your frequencies? indeed, different wave speed will give different L.
 
huh?

mjsd said:
did u work out the corresponding m's for your frequencies? indeed, different wave speed will give different L.

so each frequency will give a different length? so what length would be correct?
 
mjsd said:
one-end open tube or both ends open tube?
btw, your answers seem wrong either

well it said 'narrow column of air' so i assumed open on both ends
 
aliaze1 said:
so each frequency will give a different length? so what length would be correct?

no, what I meant was, you should work out the value of your m's corresponding to each frequency:
say m_{f1} = k, m_{f2}=k+1, m_{f3}=k+2 where f1, f2 and f3 are the 390, 520, 650 Hz.

and you would only get different answer if your speed of sound is different.
it appears that this can only be the open-both-ends case for it to work. (just from the wavelength to m relations)
 
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Um, I'm not sure on this question either. Can someone guide me through it? It's also been giving me problems.
 
Hate to revive an old thread but I can't figure out this one for the life of me...I've tried entering the length for every frequency (with the accompanying mode) and none of them seem to give me the correct length.
 
  • #10
Three frequencies 390, 520, and 650 Hz can be wrightten as 3x130, 4x130 and 5x130. The same open tube can resonate in these three modes. Hence fundamental resonant frequency of the tube must be 130 Hz. Using this frequency and the velocity of sound, you can calculate the length of the tube.
 
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