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meekadn
Apr 7, 2006, 08:50 AM
If the room temperature is lowered how would it effect the speed of sound in air by means of a resonating air column? How would my measurements change?

How would the results be affected, if at all, if I were underwater and had a trapped column of air, and the sound waves is traveling through water and not air? Explain

How would my results change if I performed (an experiment called the speed of sound on the Moon?

kp2171
Apr 7, 2006, 11:13 AM
Increased temp means the air has more molecular movement, more kinetic energy, more "speed"... think about moving an object through a thick substance, like syrup, versus a less viscous substance, like water. The object moves easier through the water right? Less resistance, more molecular movement?

Well apply that to air. The molecules are a lot further apart than in liquid, but you are still talking about movement through a substance. If the air is colder the molecules are not moving as readily compared at least to the warmer air.

As for the underwater versus air... you need to think this through yourself, again applying the ideas I mentioned. Sound traveling through air is not the same of course as a ball through water... but the idea is really similar. Even if the analogy is flawed its good enough to give you some thoughts that will let you figure this out on your own.

The question about the moon makes you think about the atmosphere of the moon. You mentioned air resonating being tied to sound movement... so what happens if there is little air present?

Take some guesses and we'll go from there.