A column of argon is open at one end and closed at the other.The shortest length of such a column that will resonate with a 200 Hz tuning fork is 42.5 cm.The speed of sound in argon must be:
A)85.0 m/s
B)170 m/s
C)340 m/s
D)470 m/s
E)940 m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The resonating column of gas will have a length equal to a quarter of the wavelength of sound. Therefore,
length of gas column = λ/4 = v/4f
where λ is the wavelength of the sound, v is the speed of sound in the gas and f is the frequency of the tuning fork.
Substituting the given values, we get:
0.425 m = v/4(200 Hz)
v = 340 m/s
Hence, the answer is (C) 340 m/s.

A Column of Argon Is Open at One End and Closed