Wine glass acoustics - wavelength not what expected

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the acoustics of a wine glass, specifically examining the relationship between the wavelength of sound produced and the expected behavior based on classical wave theory. The original poster describes an experiment involving a latex glove and a rotating wine glass, leading to unexpected findings regarding the wavelength and node-antinode configuration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the principles of wave behavior in organ pipes to a wine glass scenario, questioning the validity of their initial assumptions about wavelength and node placement. Participants explore the nature of vibrations in the glass and consider alternative configurations of nodes and antinodes.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's questions, offering insights into the mechanics of sound production in the glass. Some guidance has been provided regarding the nature of vibrations, while further questions about the observed node configurations remain open for exploration.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific experimental setups and observations, indicating a practical context for the theoretical questions being raised. There is an acknowledgment of potential discrepancies between expected and observed results, which may influence the direction of the inquiry.

neural_jam
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Hi,
I have been conducting a lab experiment using a piece of latex glove to stimulate a tone from a wine glass that is rotating on a turntable. I used the equation [tex]\lambda[/tex]=v/f (using an audio spectrometer setup to find f) to find the wavelength of the emitted tone.
We expected the top part of the glass would be a quarter of the length of the wavelength, as in an organ pipe with one closed end. What I found though, was that it was very close to half.
Does anyone know why my initial assumption was wrong?

Thanks

-Jam
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The air in the glass isn't vibrating like a standing wave down the length of the glass as in an organ tube, the rim of the glass is vibrating like a bowstring.
Imagine that two opposite points on the rim are staionary and the curve between them vibrates.
 
omg thanks, that's been annoying me for weeks!
Thankyou!:biggrin:
 
ok, that leaves me with a second question;
I just did a rough calculation, and it turns out that the wavelength is about the same as the circumference of the glass, which would lead me to expect to observe two nodes and two antinodes as I moved a microphone around the glass, i.e., two 'quietest' points, and two 'loudest' points.
However, my previous research (and observation) suggests that there is in fact a quadrupole configuration, that is, there are four of each such nodes and antinodes.

Why would this be?
 
Perhaps 2 waves at the same time and this is the most stable configuration?
(only a guess)
 
hmm... that was my initial thought too, but then the wavelength of the wave on the glass rim is then half that of the emitted tone...
ok, thanks for your help :-)
 

Similar threads

Replies
17
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
10
Views
6K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
9K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K