Temperature's affect on frequency

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The discussion revolves around calculating the percentage change in frequency of a flute when a marching band member moves from a 26°C indoor environment to a 4°C outdoor setting. The key equations involve the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength, with the understanding that the wavelength remains constant as the flute's length does not change. The participant calculates sound speeds at both temperatures and attempts to derive the change in frequency using ratios of these speeds. Despite initial confusion about the calculations, the correct approach involves using the ratio of the speeds to find the percentage change in frequency. Ultimately, the effect of temperature on the speed of sound leads to a corresponding change in the frequency produced by the flute.
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Homework Statement



A marching band member tunes her flute indoors in a 26 oC room. She then goes outside to play on a chilly 4 oC day in January. What percent change does this cause in the frequency played by her flute?)

Homework Equations



v = f(Lambda)

The Attempt at a Solution



I know the wavelength will not change with temperature. The speed of the sound does so I need to use an equation that uses wavelength, freq, and wave speed.

I'm struggling with this. I calculated the speeds at 347.6 for 26 degrees C, and 337.4 for 4 degrees C. I chose the frequency at random as a 'C' she was tuning the flute to, the freq of this is 16.35. That's as far as I've gotten.
 
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I'm new to this forum so if this is posted in the wrong place or I've formatted it incorrectly, I apologize and if you could put it in the right direction that was would great!

Thanks for any help.
 
You have done it correctly.

As you have said, the wavelength remains constant. So
v2 = f2*λ
v1 = f1*λ
take the ratio
v2/v1 = f2/f1
1 - v2/v1 = 1 - f2/f1
Now find the percenatge change in the frequency.
 
rl.bhat said:
You have done it correctly.

As you have said, the wavelength remains constant. So
v2 = f2*λ
v1 = f1*λ
take the ratio
v2/v1 = f2/f1
1 - v2/v1 = 1 - f2/f1
Now find the percenatge change in the frequency.

But how do I find V2=F2*λ if I don't know λ? Should I just select a wavelength at random? Like 1 meter?

And how does V2/V1 = F2/F1 if the frequencies are the same?

Strugging to understand how I can find the percentage change in the frequency.

Thanks so much for helping me so far. I've been out of school for 8 years and am so very confused.
 
mhmil said:
But how do I find V2=F2*λ if I don't know λ? Should I just select a wavelength at random? Like 1 meter?

And how does V2/V1 = F2/F1 if the frequencies are the same?

Strugging to understand how I can find the percentage change in the frequency.

Thanks so much for helping me so far. I've been out of school for 8 years and am so very confused.
When the temperature changes, the length of the flute does not change. So the wave length does not change, because it depends on the length of the flute. So the frequency changes.
 
rl.bhat said:
When the temperature changes, the length of the flute does not change. So the wave length does not change, because it depends on the length of the flute. So the frequency changes.

Okay, still not understanding it I guess. How do I find the change in frequency? I have so far that

347.6/16.35 = 21.260 = λ1
337.4/16.35 = 20.640 = λ2

So the equation V=fλ comes out to

347.6=16.35*21.260
337.4=16.35*20.640

These work out obviously. I just don't understand how to find the change in frequency or how temperature effects it.
 
337.4/347.6 = f2/f1
1- 337.4/347.6 = 1 - f2/f1
(10.2/347.6)*100 = ( 1 - f2/f1)*100
Find the percent change in the frequency.
 
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