An organ pipe makes a sound that has a frequency of 450 Hz when the temperature is 20$\degree$C. If the temperature is ten degrees colder the wavelength of sound produced in the pipe will
A) get longer.
B) stay the same.
C) get shorter.
D) It is not possible to tell without more information.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The speed of sound in air decreases with decreasing temperature. Since the frequency of the sound produced by the organ pipe is constant, a decrease in speed means that the wavelength must also decrease according to the formula λ = c/f, where λ is wavelength, c is speed of sound, and f is frequency. As wavelength decreases, the sound produced by the pipe will get shorter. Therefore, the correct answer is choice C.

An Organ Pipe Makes a Sound That Has a Frequency °\degree°

An Organ Pipe Makes a Sound That Has a Frequency $\degree$