What are the resonance heights for a tuning fork and resonance tube experiment?

  • Thread starter Thread starter endeavor
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Resonance
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the resonance heights in a tuning fork and resonance tube experiment, specifically involving a tuning fork with a frequency of 440 Hz and the speed of sound in air at 342 m/s. Participants are exploring whether the setup refers to an open or closed pipe and how this affects the resonance calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the resonance heights based on the frequency and speed of sound, with some considering the implications of the pipe being open or closed. Questions arise regarding the use of the fundamental frequency and the reasoning behind the formulas applied for resonance in closed pipes.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the resonance conditions for both open and closed pipes, with participants providing insights into the formulas used. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of the fundamental frequency in the context of the tuning fork, though multiple interpretations of the problem setup are still being discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about the type of pipe and the nature of the sound waves involved, with specific attention to the implications of using a tuning fork that produces a single frequency.

endeavor
Messages
174
Reaction score
0
"A tuning fork with a frequency of 440 Hz is held above a resonance tube partially filled with water. Assuming that the speed of sound in air is 342 m/s, for what heights of the air column will resonances occur?"

f1 = 440 Hz
v = 342m/s
I'm not sure if this is referring to an open pipe, or a closed pipe.
For an open pipe,
fn = (nv)/(2L) = nf1
v/(2L) = f1
L = v/(2f1)
L = 0.3886 m
But this is the length for the sound traveling up and down... i think. So the length is 0.194m. However, the answer gives 3 values, 0.194m, 0.583m, 0.972m. Even for a closed pipe, I there is only 1 value...
I must be doing something wrong. I don't think the speed of sound in water is a factor, because my first answer seems to be correct...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
endeavor said:
"A tuning fork with a frequency of 440 Hz is held above a resonance tube partially filled with water. Assuming that the speed of sound in air is 342 m/s, for what heights of the air column will resonances occur?"

f1 = 440 Hz
v = 342m/s
I'm not sure if this is referring to an open pipe, or a closed pipe.
This is a closed pipe. There is a node at the bottom and an anti-node at the open end. So resonances occur where the length of the pipe is [itex]L = \lambda/4, 3\lambda/4, 5\lambda/4,... (2n+1)\lambda/4[/itex]

Using the universal wave equation:

[tex]\lambda = v/f[/tex]

Substituting the resonance criterion: [itex]\lambda = 4L/(2n+1) = v/f[/itex]

resonance occurs at:

[tex]L = (2n+1)v/4f = (2n+1)*342/4*440 = (2n+1).194 m.[/tex]

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
This is a closed pipe. There is a node at the bottom and an anti-node at the open end. So resonances occur where the length of the pipe is [itex]L = \lambda/4, 3\lambda/4, 5\lambda/4,... (2n+1)\lambda/4[/itex]

Using the universal wave equation:

[tex]\lambda = v/f[/tex]

Substituting the resonance criterion: [itex]\lambda = 4L/(2n+1) = v/f[/itex]

resonance occurs at:

[tex]L = (2n+1)v/4f = (2n+1)*342/4*440 = (2n+1).194 m.[/tex]

AM
That makes sense, except for why f is kept as the initial frequency. The formula I have is:
L = (mv)/(4fm) where m = 1,3,5,...
and
fm = mf1
thus
L = v/(4f1)
why do I use only the initial frequency here?
 
endeavor said:
That makes sense, except for why f is kept as the initial frequency. The formula I have is:
L = (mv)/(4fm) where m = 1,3,5,...
and
fm = mf1
thus
L = v/(4f1)
why do I use only the initial frequency here?
In this case, there is a tuning fork which provides only the fundamental frequency - a pure sine wave. There are no higher frequencies to resonate in the air column. So you are dealing with the fundamental frequency only.

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
In this case, there is a tuning fork which provides only the fundamental frequency - a pure sine wave. There are no higher frequencies to resonate in the air column. So you are dealing with the fundamental frequency only.

AM
Oh, Ok. Thanks!
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
9K