Various experiments on vibrating gas columns and on frequency measurements with glasses and pipes have been presented in recent years in the “iPhysicsLabs” column. The determination of the sound velocity in different gases by measuring the sound running time has also already been proposed in an earlier paper. This article now adds another experiment to this series. Just by using a commercially available whistle (e.g., dog whistle, bobby whistle, or shrill whistle) and a smartphone with a spectroscope app, the speed of sound in various gases can be estimated. This experiment’s chief merits are the straightforward experimental setup, the consumption of only small amounts of gas, the high measurement accuracy, and especially the simple theoretical background.
Skip Nav Destination
,
,
Article navigation
December 2021
IPHYSICSLABS|
December 01 2021
Determining the speed of sound in different gases with a dog whistle
Matthias Rädler
Matthias Rädler
3
University of Konstanz
, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Patrik Vogt
1
Lutz Kasper
2
Matthias Rädler
3
3
University of Konstanz
, Germany
Phys. Teach. 59, 726–727 (2021)
Citation
Patrik Vogt, Lutz Kasper, Matthias Rädler; Determining the speed of sound in different gases with a dog whistle. Phys. Teach. 1 December 2021; 59 (9): 726–727. https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0007414
Download citation file:
Pay-Per-View Access
$40.00
Sign In
You could not be signed in. Please check your credentials and make sure you have an active account and try again.
Citing articles via
A “Perpetual Motion Machine” Powered by Electromagnetism
Hollis Williams
Challenging ChatGPT with Different Types of Physics Education Questions
Víctor López-Simó, Mikael Frank Rezende, Jr.
Values Reflected in Energy-Related Physics Concepts
Kara E. Gray, Rachel E. Scherr
Related Content
Experiments with mobile devices — A retrospective on 10 years of iPhysicsLabs
Phys. Teach. (February 2022)
Diffraction experiments with infrared remote controls
Phys. Teach. (February 2012)
New options for the old Wilberforce pendulum
Phys. Teach. (October 2023)
What gives musical instruments their sound?
Phys. Teach. (January 2023)