PhysicsLAB: Speed of Sound in Copper

In this experiment, we will use a Kundt's Tube to calculate the speed of sound in a copper rod. Our apparatus includes a glass tube containing a layer of fine cork dust, a wooden dowel, and a copper rod. The copper rod will be inserted into the glass tube and its midpoint securely clamped. The end of the rod inside the tube has a vibrating disk which will agitate the air and the cork dust in the resonating chamber when the outer end of the rod is excited.

We will collect the following data: the lengths of the loop in the copper rod and several loops in the cork dust as well as the temperature in the room.

Data:

temperature of room (in ºC)

length of copper rod (in meters)

length of first loop in dust (in meters)

length of second loop in dust (in meters)

Calculations:

average length of a loop in the resonating air chamber (in meters)

average wavelength of sound in air (in meters)

calculated speed of sound in air (in m/sec)

frequency of sound in air (in hz)

frequency of sound in copper (in hz)

wavelength of fundamental frequency in copper (in meters)

calculated speed of sound in copper (in m/sec)

Error Analysis:

The actual speed of sound in copper is 3500 m/sec. Calculate your experimental percent error.

Before submitting your reports, make sure that all of your numerical answers are expressed in terms of the stipulated units.