Physics · Practical apparatus

Resonance-tube sound speed

Slide the water level to change the closed air column. Locate two resonance peaks; their separation removes the common open-end correction. Peak width is an illustrative apparatus response parameter.

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Resonance-tube sound speed

மூடிய காற்றுக்குழாயின் அடுத்தடுத்த ஒத்ததிர்வு நீளங்களின் வேறுபாடு λ/2. இரு நீளங்களால் முனைத் திருத்தம் ரத்தாகும்.

Key notes, relationships and model limits

Key relationship

L₁+e=λ/4; L₂+e=3λ/4; c=2f(L₂−L₁).

Practical tip

Slide the water level to change the closed air column. Locate two resonance peaks; their separation removes the common open-end correction. Peak width is an illustrative apparatus response parameter.

Common trap

Use the difference between successive resonant lengths; their common end correction then cancels.

Model limits

closed-open tube, end correction 0.6 radius; response is a pair of Lorentzian peak indicators, not measured sound amplitude. Higher resonances omitted.

What you will learn

Adjust resonance-tube sound speed apparatus, observe its reading and derive the indicated physical quantity.

Try the experiment

Try both scenarios, change one control, and predict the result before checking the graph and readouts.

Think of it this way

Change one input while keeping the others fixed, as you would in a controlled experiment.

Worked example

c=2×512×0.335≈343.04 m/s.

Why this matters

The model connects resonance-tube sound speed with an observable reading. Check the equation and assumptions before applying it.

Before you start

SI units · algebra · graph reading

Check your understanding

For f=512 Hz and resonance separation 0.335 m, sound speed is?

Approximately 171.5 m/s.
Approximately 343 m/s.
Approximately 686 m/s.

Read the explanation

Approximately 343 m/s.

Course connection: Virtual apparatus preparation. Check exact board/exam membership in the syllabus sources. Physical practical work remains necessary.