Simulation Investigation - Acoustic Resonance

Aim:
To determine the wavelength of a sound wave from node length data and to expose
the student to new equipment and lab procedures
Background Information:
Sound waves are longitudinal waves which require a medium, such as air or water, in
which to travel. Sound does not travel in a vacuum. In our experiment we will confine
the sound waves to move in one direction with the use of a resonance tube
apparatus. Within the tube is a movable piston which effectively closes off one end of
the tube. When a sound wave is produced by a tuning fork located at one end of the
tube, it will propagate along the tube's volume until it hits the piston, where it is
reflected back towards the open-end of the tube. The piston can effectively alter the
length of the tube, causing the incident and reflected waves within the tube to
interfere in such a way as to maximize the amplitude of the sound waves. When this
occurs, the standing waves created within the tube are said to be inresonance.
When resonance is reached, the volume of the exiting sound is greatly increased.
Resonance is reached when the piston within the tube reaches a "node" in the sound
wave. The diagram below shows 4 nodes forming within a tube. During this lab you
will adjust a wooden piston until a node in a resonance wave is found.

A tuning fork will supply the sound waves used in this lab. When gently struck
against a standing object the fork will vibrate at a set frequency for a short
time. Several strikes will be required during the lab.

A hand held sound meter will be used to determine when

the loudest sound is produced and thus a node is reached.

If you get into trouble and perform some

procedure that causes the lab to fail(lab
equipment will no longer operate), you can
press the "Reset" button and the simulation
will return to the starting position.

Procedure:
1) Log on to the following URL:
http://eduweblabs.com/Database/Lab_FoldersP/Resonance/Resonance.html
2) Record the

diameter of your sound tube and the speed of sound within your lab,
both of which are displayed. Room temperature and humidity can change the speed
of sound.
3) Drag the volume meter, mounted on the ring stand by a clamp, so that its top
sensor is just below the lip of the sound tube. Click on the red button on its face to
turn the unit on. Too high or too low a position will not allow the meter to get an
accurate reading.
4) Pick up the tuning fork and strike it against the shelf on the right side of the
screen. This will set it into motion and produce a sound wave for the lab. Position the
fork to the left of the sound tube so it is about 8 cm over and centre the tines on the
sound tube. Note: the tuning fork will vibrate for just so long so you will have to
strike it on the shelf to continue through the lab. A side note: the handle of tuning
forks is located at a node in the vibrational pattern of the fork and thus does not
interfere with its vibrating.
5) Drag the piston within the sound tube to the right and observe the value on the
sound meter. Stop when the highest value is reached, this is the location of node 1.
Pick up the ruler and measure the distance from the open end of the sound tube to
the face of the piston and record as node 1(in meters). Continue down the tube with
the piston and you will find node 2. Record this distance. Note: the sound meter has
been set to multiply the bB value of the sound it detects. A reading in the 80 dB
range would actually be equal to a lawn mower! The data sheet for this lab indicates
that you have to calculate the 3rd node for this tube. As it turns out, that would be
beyond the actual length of the tube, BUT it can still be calculated.

6) Calculate the requested values asked for on the Data Sheet and any given by your
teacher. For help on these values click on the "Special" button and select "View
Data & Hints". Select "File Report" to send a copy to be viewed by your teacher.