Experiments with Kundt's tube

Abstract

We present some lab science experiments that are intended to be performed by undergraduate university students of scientific and technological disciplines. We come out with an experimental study of waves in Kundt's tube by varying the absorption characteristics of its closed end. The measurement of the resonant frequencies permits to determine the speed of sound in the tube. The impedance tube-standing wave method (ISO-10534-1) is applied to study the normal absorption coefficient of acoustics insulators. The setup includes basic lab equipment available in the undergraduate laboratory: a tube, a speaker, a microphone, a digital function generator and an oscilloscope.