A student carried out a laboratory experiment to find the speed of sound in air. (i) Draw a labelled diagram of the arrangement of the apparatus used in this experiment. (ii) How did the student find the frequency of the sound wave used? (iii) What other measurements did the student take? (iv) How did the student calculate the speed of sound in air? (v) State one precaution which the student might have taken to get an accurate result.

Leaving Cert Physics EXPERIMENTS - ALL: A student carried out a laborato

A student carried out a laboratory experiment to find the speed of sound in air - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 3 - 2016

Question 3

A student carried out a laboratory experiment to find the speed of sound in air. (i) Draw a labelled diagram of the arrangement of the apparatus used in this experi... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student carried out a laboratory experiment to find the speed of sound in air - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 3 - 2016

Step 1

Draw a labelled diagram of the arrangement of the apparatus used in this experiment.

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Answer

To draw the diagram, illustrate a resonance tube with water, a tuning fork, and a ruler or measuring tape.

Resonance Tube: Show the tube filled partially with water, with a student holding it vertically.
Tuning Fork: Indicate the tuning fork above the tube, ready to be struck.
Measuring Scale: Include a scale along the side of the tube for measuring the length of the air column.
Ensure all parts are properly labelled, including the source of sound and the method of signaling or data logging.

Step 2

How did the student find the frequency of the sound wave used?

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Answer

The frequency of the sound wave was determined by using the formula: $f = \frac{1}{T}$ where 'T' is the time period measured from oscillations of the tuning fork or by using tuning forks of known frequency.

Step 3

What other measurements did the student take?

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Answer

Apart from measuring the frequency, the student measured the length of the air column at which resonance occurred. This is done by adjusting the water level in the tube to find the length for the first and subsequent resonances.

Note down at least two resonance lengths for accuracy and perform any necessary corrections.

Step 4

How did the student calculate the speed of sound in air?

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Answer

The speed of sound in air was calculated using the formula: $v = f \times \lambda$ where:

'v' is the speed of sound,
'f' is the frequency found earlier, and
'λ' (lambda) is twice the length of the air column corresponding to the resonance points. Substitute the values of 'f' and 'λ' to compute 'v'.

Step 5

State one precaution which the student might have taken to get an accurate result.

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Answer

One precaution could be to ensure that the resonance tube is straight and undamaged. Additionally, using a more sensitive instrument to measure the water level could provide more precise resonance length, helping to yield a more accurate result.

A student carried out a laboratory experiment to find the speed of sound in air - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 3 - 2016

Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student carried out a laboratory experiment to find the speed of sound in air - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 3 - 2016

Draw a labelled diagram of the arrangement of the apparatus used in this experiment.

How did the student find the frequency of the sound wave used?

What other measurements did the student take?

How did the student calculate the speed of sound in air?

State one precaution which the student might have taken to get an accurate result.

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