Question

When you hear sound pulses (beats), describe how you will determine the beat frequency. Include in your answer what steps you will take to reduce percentage uncertainty, as well as how you will turn raw measurements into your final answer.

Answer 1

Beat frequency is determined by the number of beats per second one hears from the sound. It can also be determined by taking the difference in frequency of the two notes that interfere to produce the beat.

Step-by-step explanation:

Beat frequency is determined by the number of beats per second one hears from the sound.

Assuming the sound pulses is coming from two tuning forks;

• Frequency of the first tuning fork (F₁) is known as 240Hz

• Frequency of the second tuning fork (F₂) is not known

• there are 8 beats in 2 seconds

Beat Frequency = number of beats/time

Beat Frequency = 8/2 = 4Hz

Beat Frequency = F₂ - F₁

±4 = F₂ - 240

4 = F₂ - 240

4+240 = F₂

244 = F₂

F₂ = 244 Hz

-4 = F₂ - 240

-4 + 240 = F₂

F₂ = 236 Hz

The percentage uncertainty in the beat frequency is

4 /240 = 0.0167 = 1.67%

To reduce the percentage uncertainty in the beat frequency

A tuning fork of almost the same frequency as the first tuning fork are used to produce sound pulses, let's say the frequency of the second tuning fork is 241 Hz.

The beat frequency = 241Hz -240Hz = I Hz

Then, the percentage uncertainty = 1/240 = 0.00416 =0.416%