The Thinking Experiment

Resonance Tube: Speed of Sound Lab

Use tuning forks and a resonance tube to measure wavelength, identify resonance peaks, and estimate the speed of sound from your data.

Apparatus View

Move the cylinder (water level) until resonance is strongest.

Cylinder Tube top Water

Controls

1) Frequency

Current frequency: 320.0 Hz

2) Cylinder Height (Air-Column Length)

Current length: 0.550 m

Hint: First-harmonic resonance is strongest near quarter wavelength.

3) Sound + Resonance

Resonance quality: Poor

4) Data Columns

Trial Data + 4L vs Period Graph

Record trials only when resonance is clear and stable.

Accepted trials 0 / 0
Fit equation 4L = --

Use the slope of 4L vs T to estimate speed of sound.

Assessment Mode

Practice prediction: given frequency find length, or given length find frequency.

Press "New Challenge" to begin.