Chapter 5: Problem 66

Describe an experiment to prove that the pitch of the sound is dependent on the length of a vibrating air column.

Short Answer

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Answer: The pitch of the sound produced from a vibrating air column is dependent on the length of the air column. As the length of the air column increases, the frequency (and therefore pitch) decreases.

Step by step solution

Gather the required materials for the experiment

First, collect the following items: 1. A glass or plastic tube that is open at both ends (e.g., a long, transparent plastic ruler) 2. A pan of water 3. A tuning fork (or several, if you have access to different frequencies) 4. A ruler or measuring tape to measure the length of the air column 5. A microphone connected to a frequency analyzer or an application that can measure the frequency of the sound

Prepare the experimental setup

Fill the pan with water and place the open-ended tube vertically into the water, ensuring that one end is completely submerged and the other end is above the water level. This creates a closed-end air column in the tube with the water level serving as the closed end.

Strike the tuning fork and place it near the open end of the tube

Strike the tuning fork to create a vibrating motion that produces sound waves. Hold the tuning fork near the open end of the air column (i.e., the end above the water level). The sound waves from the tuning fork will initiate a vibration in the air column.

Adjust the length of the air column and record the frequency

Slowly raise or lower the tube in the water to change the length of the air column inside. Observe and listen for changes in the loudness and pitch of the sound produced by the vibrating air column in the tube. When you find a point where the loudness is maximum (resonance), measure the length of the air column and record the frequency of the sound using the microphone and frequency analyzer.

Repeat the experiment with different lengths and frequencies

Change the length of the air column by varying the water level inside the tube and repeat Steps 3 and 4 to find the resonance points and record the corresponding frequencies. If possible, also use tuning forks with different frequencies to test if the relationship holds for various pitch levels.

Analyze the results and draw conclusions

After collecting the data, plot a graph of air column length versus frequency, and analyze the relationship between the two variables. You should observe a clear relationship between the length of the vibrating air column and the frequency of the sound produced, specifically, as the length of the air column increases, the frequency (and therefore pitch) decreases, proving that the pitch of the sound is dependent on the length of the vibrating air column.

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Describe an experiment to prove that the pitch of the sound is dependent on the length of a vibrating air column.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Gather the required materials for the experiment

Prepare the experimental setup

Strike the tuning fork and place it near the open end of the tube

Adjust the length of the air column and record the frequency

Repeat the experiment with different lengths and frequencies

Analyze the results and draw conclusions

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