Investigating the speed & sound in air

• What are the variables?

  1. Independent variable -  Distance between wooden blocks and observer
  2. Dependent variable - Speed of sound in air
  3. Control variables - Temperature, blocks being used
• What equipment is used to measure time in the speed of sound experiment?

  Stopwatch
• What is used to measure distance in the speed of sound experiment?


  Meter stick
• Why might a meter stick not be the best tool for measuring distance in this experiment?


  It is not suitable for large distances
• What alternative tools could be used for measuring large distances?


  Trundle wheel or a long tape measure
• How can speed be calculated once time and distance are known?


  Speed = distance / time
• What method is used to measure the speed of sound in this experiment?


  By timing the interval between seeing two blocks touch and hearing the sound
• What is the approximate speed of sound in air?


  About 330 m/s
• What factors can affect the speed of sound?


  Air temperature and pressure
• How does temperature affect the speed of sound?


  Colder temperatures increase particle closeness, affecting sound speed
• What is a potential source of error when measuring very small times in this experiment?


  Human error in starting and stopping the timer
• What steps can be taken to improve the accuracy of the speed of sound measurements?


  • Have multiple people take readings
  • Collect more data to identify anomalies
  • Repeat the experiment several times for an average value
• Why is it beneficial to have a larger distance when measuring the speed of sound?


  A larger distance increases the accuracy of the timing reading
• What is the ideal distance mentioned for measuring the speed of sound?


  About 100 meters
• What happens if the distance is too large in the speed of sound experiment?


  You may not be able to hear the sound
• How does using a class of people to take readings help in the experiment?

  It provides more results to average out anomalies