- #1
HelgaMan
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Homework Statement
The problem asks to find the wavelength of a tuning fork with 1000Hz frequency. Then they give you two consecutive resonant lengths which are 25 cm and 76 cm.
The way they measured the resonant lengths is by placing the tuning fork over a tube that has 1 end open and 1 end closed so that the waves come back or whatever and the lengths are the lengths of the tubes that had resonance.
Homework Equations
The equation i tried to use was:
Resonant length = n/4 * wavelength + end correction.
The Attempt at a Solution
So, first of all, i thought that the two consecutive harmonics were the 2nd and 3rd ones.. i can't seem to find where i justified that, so maybe that's not right, but my work assumes it is.. i guess. :p
anywho, i subtracted the 2 equations to eliminate end correction. (n's are odd because one end is open and one end is closed on the tube)
76 = 5/4 * wavelength + e
- 25 = 3/4 * wavelength + e
51 = 2/4 * wavelength
so wavelength equals 102 cm, however.. that's about 3 times as much as what it should be, which is 33-ish centimeters, and i think its because my method only works for maybe the first and 2nd harmonics or something, because it works when its just the 1st and 2nd harmonics... or i forgot to take something into consideration, i dunno, that's why I am asking :D
anywho, any help would be greatly appreciated, thx.