PHY 108: General Physics II Practical

EXPERIMENT 002C

The diagram above shows a glass resonance tube. A vibrating tuning fork of frequency f, is
held over the tube filled with water. The water is run off by means of a tap T, until the first
loudest note is heard. At resonance, the length l of the air column is measured and recorded
along with the frequency f of the tuning fork. The reciprocal of the frequency, that is, 𝑓 −1 , is
determined.
The procedure is repeated five more times using tuning forks of different frequencies. The
values of the length li and the corresponding frequencies fi are shown in fig. 2(a) and fig. 2(b)
respectively, where = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
1. Measure and record the real values of li and the corresponding real values of fi.
2. Also, determine the reciprocal of the frequency in each case. Tabulate your readings.
3. Plot a graph of 𝑓 −1 on the vertical axis as against 𝑙 on the horizontal axis, starting both
axes from the origin (0, 0), which should be 2cm away from the left-hand edge of the
graph sheet.
4. Determine the slope of the graph. Evaluate k = 4/s. Read and record the value of 𝑙 when
𝑓 −1 = 0.
 PHY 108: General Physics II Practical

5. State two precautions you would take if you were to perform this experiment in the
laboratory.
B(i) State two characteristics of a musical note and the factor on which each depends.
(ii) Draw a diagram showing the first harmonic of the air in the resonance tube when he
length 1 = 0.23 m and the end-correction is 0.02 m.
(iii) The air column in a tube closed at one end is set in to vibration and gives out a
fundamental note of frequency 255Hz. If the speed of sound in air is 340 ms-1, calculate
the length of the resonating air column. [Neglect end-correction of the tube.]