You Can Use an Oscilloscope to Measure the Speed of Sound

Question 1

What can you do by attaching a signal generator to a speaker?

Answer 1

You can generate sounds with a specific frequency

Question 2

What can you use two microphones and an oscilloscope for?

Answer 2

To find the wavelength of the sound waves generated

Question 3

What can the detected waves at each microphone be seen as?

Answer 3

A separate wave on the oscilloscope

Question 4

What do you do first?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What do you measure?

Answer 5

The distance between the microphones to find the wavelength

Question 6

What formula do you then use to find the speed of the sound waves passing through the air?

Answer 6

V = f x λ
Speed = frequency x wavelength

Question 7

What is the frequency? (In the formula)

Answer 7

Whatever you set the signal generator to in the first place