You Can Use an Oscilloscope to Measure the Speed of Sound Flashcards
What can you do by attaching a signal generator to a speaker?
You can generate sounds with a specific frequency
What can you use two microphones and an oscilloscope for?
To find the wavelength of the sound waves generated
What can the detected waves at each microphone be seen as?
A separate wave on the oscilloscope
What do you do first?
Start with both microphones next to the speaker, then slowly move one away until the two waves are aligned on the display, but exactly one wavelength apart
What do you measure?
The distance between the microphones to find the wavelength
What formula do you then use to find the speed of the sound waves passing through the air?
V = f x λ Speed = frequency x wavelength
What is the frequency? (In the formula)
Whatever you set the signal generator to in the first place
