A clarinet, which is essentially a tube that is open at one end, is properly tuned to concert A 440 Hz) indoors, where the temperature is 20^oC and the speed of sound is 340 m/s. The musician then takes the instrument to play an outdoor concert, where the temperature is 0^oC and the speed of sound is 331 m/s. What is the frequency of the A played on the cold clarinet? Ignore any thermal changes in the body of the clarinet itself.) A) 417 Hz B) 428 Hz C) 434 Hz D) 445 Hz E) 451 Hz

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The frequency of sound is proportional to the speed of sound. Since the speed of sound decreases from 340 m/s to 331 m/s, the frequency will also decrease. The new frequency can be calculated using the ratio of the speeds: (331/340) * 440 Hz ≈ 428 Hz.

A Clarinet, Which Is Essentially a Tube That Is Open