Sound Exp: Find Frequency of Sound Wave

In summary, to find the frequency of a sound wave, one could perform an experiment using a tuning fork or a small speaker and a signal generator. The speed of sound can be calculated by hitting sticks and listening for echoes, and then using the v = f*lambda formula, the wavelength can be found. Alternatively, one could use a microphone and a spectrum analyzer to get a more accurate result.
  • #1
Cheman
235
1
Sound Experiment...

What experiment could you perform to find the frequency of a sound wave? I thought that you could calculate the speed of sound though hitting sticks and hearing echo, etc, and then using the v = f*lambda formula to find frequency - but how would you find the wavelength to calculate the frquency?

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Cheman said:
What experiment could you perform to find the frequency of a sound wave? I thought that you could calculate the speed of sound though hitting sticks and hearing echo, etc, and then using the v = f*lambda formula to find frequency - but how would you find the wavelength to calculate the frquency?

Thanks.

http://physics.nku.edu/GeneralLab/211 Speed of sound -tube.html

Zz.
 
  • #3
I found that rather then slowly and painstakingly searching for a resonance point it may be best to simply let the water fall. As the water level drops through a resonance it will be quite noticeable make a quick mark to indicate the level of the water. Repeat this process several times. you will have a group of marks which indicate a resonance, this gives you a average and error bounds. What more could you ask for.

This can be a very quick experiment, done my way, so do lots of repetitions listening to a locating resonances.

We replaced the tunning fork with a small speaker and a signal generator, so we had a continuous source of sound.
 
  • #4
Would it be cheating to use a microphone and send the signal to a spectrum analyzer ? :smile:
 
  • #5
Gokul43201 said:
Would it be cheating to use a microphone and send the signal to a spectrum analyzer ? :smile:

Thats the way I'd do it.

Can you 'cheat' if you get a valid result?
 

FAQ: Sound Exp: Find Frequency of Sound Wave

What is sound frequency?

Sound frequency refers to the number of cycles or vibrations per second that a sound wave produces. It is measured in Hertz (Hz).

How do you measure the frequency of a sound wave?

The frequency of a sound wave can be measured using a device called a frequency meter, which detects the number of vibrations per second. It can also be calculated by dividing the speed of sound by the wavelength of the sound wave.

What is the range of human hearing in terms of frequency?

The range of human hearing is typically between 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. However, this can vary depending on age and other factors.

How does the frequency of a sound wave affect its pitch?

The frequency of a sound wave is directly related to its pitch. Higher frequency sound waves have a higher pitch, while lower frequency sound waves have a lower pitch.

How is sound frequency used in everyday life?

Sound frequency is used in various applications, such as music, communication, and medical imaging. It is also used in industries such as acoustics and engineering for noise control and analysis.

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