Question

Q6. (1) Using the measured speed of sound from longer pipe, estimate the temperature of the lab room, with uncertainty. The speed of sound is given by v 331 +0.6T (m/s), where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius. Does this find the lab room to be significantly warmer or colder than room temperature (say, 20+20C)? Justify using your uncertainties. Also, does this result make sense? Does it seem like a reasonable estimate for the lab temperature as you recall it?

the measured speed of sound from longer pipe is 1006.1 +/- 80 m/s

Answer 1

Let v= 1006.1 m/s

Then Temperature T

1006.1= 331+ 0.6×T

T = (1006.1-331)/0.6= 1125.2 celcius

This is much larger than ordinary room temperature because generally room temperaure is 2 degrees more or less than 22 degree celcius i.e. 295. kelvin but temperaure estimated in experiment is 1125.2 degree celcius This result makes no sense. This method can not be used to find temperature.

But i think formula used is not wrong. The value of speed of sound taken is not used correctly. Generaly the speed of sound in air at roon temperature is 342 m/s . If we have used it in formula the room temperaure would be 18.3 celcius which is more close to ordinary room temperature.