Umass Boston The Frequency of a Vibrating Metal Rod Experiment Lab Report

  

Need help with a physics lab. I have attached instructions, and report form. Thanks!

The Frequency of a Vibrating Metal Rod
Name:
Date:
Objective:
Data Tables
Predicted Frequency:
Harmonic
L
#
Measured frequency:
Harmonic
t1
#
λ
t2
ρ
Y
t
#
intervals
v
T
f (pred)
f(meas)
Calculations:
Sources of Error:
Answer to Question:
Conclusion:
Attach Photo of you holding the aluminum rod
Extra credit: Include a video of you producing the standing waves in the rod.
% Diff
Frequency of a Metal Rod Instructions
Objective: To predict the frequency of standing wavs in a metal rod and the sound
waves they produce.
Materials and Equipment: Long aluminum rod, violin rosin, tape measure, app on
phone
Theory: Imagine dropping something and hearing the sound it makes as it hits the floor.
Why does it make a noise with that particular pitch/frequency? We will answer that
question for one particular object – a metal rod.
Standing waves in any medium produce, at certain frequencies, a large amplitude at the
certain locatioins and zero amplitude at others. These are determined by the end
conditions of the vibrating system. For example, a string tied at both ends must have
nodes there. This means that waves for which multiples of one‑half wavelength fit onto
the length of the string can produce standing waves, and only these waves. This yields
the result that the harmonics are integer multiples of a fundamental.
The waves traveling through the metal rod in our experiment are longitudinal waves,
i.e., sound waves. At the ends of the rod the medium is not restrained. In fact, the
medium is most free to vibrate there. So instead of there being nodes at the ends, we
will have antinodes there. The simplest standing wave has antinodes (A) at both ends
and a node (N) at the center, as in the diagram below.
Since the distance between two antinodes is one-half of the wavelength, the wavelength
is twice the length of the rod: λ = 2L.
Since f = v/λ, we have for the frequency of the fundadmental of this rod
f=v2L
Actually, when an object drops and hits the floor, it will produce a set of frequencies
simultaneously and a complex sound. The one we find today is only one of the possible
standing waves in this set.
The existence of a node at the center is helpful. Holding the rod at that location means
that we will not dampen the wave – the medium doesn’t move there anyhow. Holding
the rod at another position will dampen the wave quickly.
We will need to know the velocity of the sound waves traveling through the metal rod to
determine the frequency. The speed of sound through solids is given by the formula:
v=Yρ
where Y is Young’s Modulus and ρ is the solid’s density. Young’s Modulus is a measure
of how much force is necessary to stretch a material by a certain distance and so plays
a similar role to the spring constant k. It tells us essentially how “springy” the material is.
Its units are Pa = N/m2, the same as for pressure. The density is a measure of inertia
with units kg/m3. Knowing these two constants will allow us to calculate the speed of
sound in that medium.
Procedure:
1. Practice producing longitudinal waves on the aluminum rod. These can be
produced using two methods (see video below):
a. Put a little rosin powder on your fingertips. Balance the rod on one finger of the other
hand to find its center and hold it there. With the hand with the rosin, squeeze and pull
along the length of the rod, letting your fingers slide over it. This will take a little practice,
but when you get the right combination of speed and pressure, the rod will produce a
dramatically loud standing wave. This seems to work best with aluminum rods that are
not too thick. You will probably have to sqeeze the rod somewhat more than you find
comfortable because of the friction. And your fingers get a little dirty from the rosin. But
it washes off easily. This method is the most fun.
b. Find the rod’s center as in method a above and hold it securely there. Tap one end of
the rod with a hammer or other similar instrument. With this method, there is usualy a
“clang” sound at the beginning that obscures the true resonant frequency we’re looking
for. (That’s because of other partials being produced at the same time.) You have to
wait a couple of seconds for that clang to fade out. This is not a problem with method a.
Video Link
(Links to an external site.)
2. Measure the rod’s length and use it to determine the wavelength of the sound
wave in the rod.
3. Find the necessary constants and calculate the speed of sound in that
medium. Be careful with the scientific notation and exponents.
4. Calculate the frequency of vibration (f pred) for the rod.
5. Produce the standing waves by either of the two methods descibed above.
Measure the frequency of the sound using the Hokusai Audio Editor app on
your phone (downloaded for Lab 5). Anyone using a desktop computer with a
microphone could also try the Audacity app (download free) which is
sometimes clearer. Refer to the Lab 5 Instructions to refresh your memory of
how this is done.
6. Compare the two values of frequency using percent difference.
7. Where would a node for the second harmonic be? Measure this position on
the rod and produce the standing wave. You will probably need to use
method b (see above) to produce this wave. Now perform steps 2 through 5
for this rod. (Careful: the relationship between length and wavelength is
different here.)
Question: If this had been a steel rod that’s twice as long, what fundamental frequency
would it resonate at? Show your calculations in the calculation section.
Density and Young’s Modulus for Some Common Metals
Metal
Density (kg/m3)
Young’s Modulus (Pa)
Aluminum
2712
7.0 x 1010
Copper
8930
11 x 1010
Steel
7850
20 x 1010

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