Re: speed of sound experiment

[Sam Sampere <sampere@suhep.phy.syr.edu>]

you should find that the speed of sound is slower in the open ended pipe.
First question to ask is why is there even a reflection from an open end?
Once you figure that out, where does the reflection occur in space?  What
is the 'effective length' of your pipe now?  My pipe is about 1.5 m long
and I can easily see the 'change' in the speed of sound with a ULI and the
microphone.  By the way, the billiard balls give the best click!  Just
lightly tap them and let them bounce off each other so the click is short.

Sam


On Mon, 15 Sep 1997, Lowell Herr wrote:

> I have used different pipes with both closed and open ends and I don't 
> recall much difference in the speed.  We do need to take room temperature 
> into account.  Maybe I need to do more experimenting.
>
> Lowell
>
> > Some interesting discoveries for people expecting the speed of sound
> > for free air, when they compare an open vs closed end tube, and when
> > they vary the diameter of the tube.