Question

In a student laboratory exercise, the wavelength of a 62,300 Hz ultrasound wave is measured to be 0.566 cm. Find the air temperature (in K).K

Answer 1

The speed of the sound wave produced in the experiment can be calculated like this:

v = lf

l = wavelength = 0.566 cm = 0.00566 m

f = frequency of wave = 62300 Hz

v = 0.00566*62300 = 352.618 m/s

We also have this equation, relating v, in m/s, to Tc, temperature, in Celsius:

v = 331.5 + 0.6Tc

352.618 = 331.5 + 0.6Tc

Solving for Tc,

Tc = 35.2 C

However, the question asks for temperature in Kelvin.

Tk = Tc + 272.15

Tk = 35.2 + 272.15

Tk = 307.35 K