What is the Speed of Sound in this Lab Setup?

In summary, the lab involved tracking a single peak with a microphone to determine the speed of sound. The next question involved using two measurements to do the same. The graphs showed two sine-wave signals with the cursors representing the peak of the sound wave as the microphone was moved. The calculations were done by converting the units to standard units and using the equation velocity = Δx / Δt. However, despite trying different rounding and significant figures, the submitted answer was still incorrect and there is no clear error that could lead to a significantly different result within realistic values for the speed of sound.
  • #1
lightofthemoon
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Homework Statement


In this part of the lab you tracked a single peak as you moved a microphone in order to get a good value of the speed of sound. This question will lead you through a similar process with just two measurements.

(The lab set up: speaker emitting the signal faced one microphone a certain distance x away. Measure Δt of the same peak in both positions)

The graphs below show two sine-wave signals like you saw from a microphone positioned in front of a speaker in Part 3 of the experiment. The two dashed vertical lines represent the cursors of the oscilloscope, with the one on the right side (colored orange) tracking a peak of the sound wave as the microphone is moved. The position x of the microphone in front of the speaker and the time between the cursors Δt is shown below each graph.

f1.gif

Mic position: x = 5.00 cm. Cursor difference: Δt = 0.0828 ms
f1v3d0.gif

Mic position: x = 20.0 cm. Cursor difference: Δt = 0.511 ms
Answers have to be correct within 2%

Homework Equations



velocity = Δx / Δt

The Attempt at a Solution


convert all units to standard units
1) mic position = .05 m , cursor difference = 8.28 * 10^-5 s
2) mic position = .2 m , cursor difference = 5.11*10^-4 s

velocity = (.2 - .05) / (4.282 * 10^ -4)
velocity = 350.3 m/s

I input this answer online, but it says it is wrong... check rounding or significant figures. I tried slightly different numbers, like rounding 4.282 * 10^-4 to 4.28 * 10^-4, giving me an answer of 350.5 but it is still wrong... rounding it up to 351 doesn't work either and I suspect rounding down to 350 also will not work because it is within 2% of my initial answer... did I make some kind of mistake elsewhere?
 
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  • #2
I get the same result.

There is no obvious modification that would lead to an answer more than 1% away but still within realistic values for the speed of sound.
 
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