Measurement of Ultrasonic Wave Velocity in a Liquid

Devanarayan Saljith (IMS21055)1

1
IISER TVM
(Dated: August 30, 2023)
This report presents the experimental setup and procedure for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic
waves in a liquid using the interference of ultrasonic waves and laser diffraction. The experiment
involves various components including piezoelectric crystals, lasers, detectors, and liquid-filled glass
tanks. The aim of the experiment is to determine the velocity of ultrasonic waves in the liquid and
related properties such as bulk modulus and compressibility. The report outlines the theoretical
background, experimental setup, observations, and measurements.

PACS numbers:

I. INTRODUCTION III. OBSERVATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS

Ultrasonic waves have significant applications in var- A. Diffraction Pattern

ious fields, including material characterization and non-
destructive testing. This experiment aims to measure the
velocity of ultrasonic waves in a liquid using the interfer-
ence pattern produced by the interaction of ultrasonic
waves and a diode laser. The interference pattern allows
us to extract valuable information about the properties
of the medium, including its velocity, bulk modulus, and
compressibility.
Adjust the frequency of the oscillator until a clear
fringe pattern appears on both sides of the central bright
spot. Using the micrometer-driven stage, move the de-
tector along the diffraction pattern and record the read-
ings of the micrometer and the corresponding detector
output.

II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

• Wavelength of laser,λ = 650nm
The experimental setup consists of a glass tank filled
with the liquid under investigation, a piezoelectric crystal
connected to an RF oscillator, a diode laser, a translation • Least count of the micrometer = 0.01mm
stage with a detector, and various optical components for
laser alignment and diffraction pattern observation.
• Distance between the crystal and the detector,L =
1145mm
A. Procedure

1. Fix the laser mount on the optical rail and properly

place the laser on the mount. • Frequency of the crystal,v =3.15 MHz

2. Fill the glass tank with the liquid and position it

on the tank holder. Micrometer reading (mm) Detector Output (uA)
8.35 0.7
3. Mount the piezoelectric crystal on a holder and im- 6.02 10.1
merse it fully in the liquid. Connect it to the RF 4.85 49.5
oscillator. 2.57 8.9
1.36 0.5
4. Attach the translation stage with the detector to
the rail. Adjust the laser spot to fall onto the de-
tector stage.
5. Align the crystal and laser for a parallel beam con-
figuration and set up the kinematic setup for stand-
ing wave generation. B. Analysis
6. Ensure there are no air bubbles around the crystal
and that the laser beam hits the pinhole detector
accurately. Plotting from data:
 2

Distance Vs detector current

60

50
Detector Output (uA

40

30

20

10

0
−6 −4 −2 0 2 4 6
Distance(mm)

From the collected data, calculate the distance from

the central bright spot to the n-th order spot (D)
and the angle of ultrasonic diffraction (θ). Use FIG. 1: Image
these values to calculate the wavelength of the laser
in the liquid medium (Λ).
relevant formulas, we successfully determined the
From Graph
velocity of ultrasonic waves in the liquid. This ap-
order(n) D (m) θ = tan−1 (D/L) Λ = nλsin(θ) V=(v)Λ(m/s)
proach provides insights into the bulk modulus and
2(L) -0.00349 -0.174 0.000428 1348.4 compressibility of the liquid, making it a valuable
1(L) -0.00228 -0.114 0.000326 1026.9 technique for material characterization.
1(R) 0.00117 0.0585 0.000633 1993.95
2(R) 0.0035 0.17 0.000438 1379.7

Mean velocity = 1436.82 m/s

The Bulk modulus β(pV2 ) = 2.058x109 P a
The Compressibility κ(1/β) = 4.85x10−10 P a−1

IV. RESULTS

Using the calculated values of wavelength, you can

determine the velocity of ultrasonic waves in the
liquid using the formula ν = Λf , where f is the
frequency of the crystal oscillator.
Mean velocity = 1436.82 m/s
The Bulk modulus β(pV2 ) = 2.058x109 P a
The Compressibility κ(1/β) =
4.85x10−10 P a−1

V. CONCLUSION

This experiment demonstrated the measurement of

ultrasonic wave velocity in a liquid using the in-
terference of ultrasonic waves and laser diffraction.
By analyzing the diffraction pattern and applying
 Measurement of Ultrasonic Wave Velocity in a Immiscible Liquid
Devanarayan Saljith (IMS21055)1
1
IISER TVM
(Dated: August 30, 2023)
This report presents the experimental setup and procedure for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic
waves in a liquid using the interference of ultrasonic waves and laser diffraction. The experiment
involves various components including piezoelectric crystals, lasers, detectors, and liquid-filled glass
tanks, Two immiscible liquids. The aim of the experiment is to determine the velocity of ultrasonic
waves in the 2 liquids and related properties such as bulk modulus and compressibility. The report
outlines the theoretical background, experimental setup, observations, and measurements.

PACS numbers:

I. INTRODUCTION III. OBSERVATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS

Ultrasonic waves have significant applications in var- A. Diffraction Pattern

ious fields, including material characterization and non-
destructive testing. This experiment aims to measure the
velocity of ultrasonic waves in a liquid using the interfer-
ence pattern produced by the interaction of ultrasonic
waves and a diode laser. The interference pattern allows
us to extract valuable information about the properties
of the medium, including its velocity, bulk modulus, and
compressibility.
Adjust the frequency of the oscillator until a clear
fringe pattern appears on both sides of the central bright
spot. Using the micrometer-driven stage, move the de-
tector along the diffraction pattern and record the read-
ings of the micrometer and the corresponding detector
output.

II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
The experimental setup consists of a glass tank filled
with the liquid under investigation, a piezoelectric crystal
connected to an RF oscillator, a diode laser, a translation
stage with a detector, and various optical components for
laser alignment and diffraction pattern observation.
A. Procedure
B. Analysis
Changing the liqiud means that thr velocity also varies
in the medium, and as the frequency remains constant,
the wavelength varies. We tried replacing the water
medium oil and then air,both of which admitted a higher
speed through them, thus enabling a larger wavelength
and varying the pattern to a wider one, which was not
captured in the screen placed, probably because the pat-
tern itself collapsed. The placement of oil over water and
then laser beam through it also yielded the same result.

1. Fix the laser mount on the optical rail and properly

place the laser on the mount. IV. INFERENCE

2. Fill the glass tank with the liquid and position it The result could be explained on the basis of the col-
on the tank holder. lapse of the diffraction pattern. When there is an im-
3. Mount the piezoelectric crystal on a holder and im- miscible oil water layer formed, there is a reduction in
merse it fully in the liquid. Connect it to the RF the intensity f the laser beam that is entering water thus
oscillator. removing the pattern was observed. This is a very useful
technique to calculate the velocity of sound in a medium
4. Attach the translation stage with the detector to and thus the bulk modulus and compressibility.
the rail. Adjust the laser spot to fall onto the de-
tector stage.
5. Align the crystal and laser for a parallel beam con-
figuration and set up the kinematic setup for stand-
ing wave generation.
6. Ensure there are no air bubbles around the crystal
and that the laser beam hits the pinhole detector
accurately.